COVID cases are rising at the WSOP
A large number of players, including Phil Hellmuth, have tested positive for COVID at the World Series of Poker.
2022 was supposed to be the year that COVID didn't impact the World Series of Poker but in the opening weeks it has reared its head once again.
A lot of poker players have reported testing positive while at the series, perhaps most notably Phil Hellmuth who has been sitting out the early bracelet events.
Just tested positive for Covid. Thought maybe I was immune (neither of my sons got it, nor did my Mom)…Good news: no cough. Not hungry all day! Mind is a little foggy as I slept “17 awful hours.” I feel like my best chance for a bracelet was todays @WSOP $10,000 Omaha 8/B, sigh pic.twitter.com/nAe2WSf4H8
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) June 8, 2022
Just tested positive for Covid on 2 antigen tests. Still gonna get PCR to confirm, but I most likely will be skipping the $25k tomorrow and possibly the $50k on Monday.
NGL feel super bummed rn. WSOP $25k is my favorite event of the year.
Stay safe out there fam <3
— Dylan Weisman (@Dweisman13) June 8, 2022
Tested positive for COVID this morning so won’t be around WSOP for a while. Seems like quite a few people who played the dealers choice have it currently ðŸ¤·â™‚ï¸ I personally won’t be back until I have a negative test and significantly reduced symptoms- assume that’s the standard?
— Mike Gorodinsky (@gordoMG) June 9, 2022
Damn 🥺 Just tested positive. Woke up w a lot of pressure in my head and since it’s going around @WSOP thought I’d double check. If I was around you last few days, please test yourself! Obviously won’t be playing for minimum 5 days + testing negative again. Be safe and GL! pic.twitter.com/XfUJYydDms
— Ashley Sleeth 🤸ðŸ»â™€ï¸ (@_AshleySleeth_) June 9, 2022
Throat felt scratchy this afternoon, so took a COVID test instead of regging the $3k - it was POSITIVE.
Symptoms are mild, but obviously sitting out from #WSOP events until we're back to 💯 and test negative.
I'd recommend masking up while walking through big crowds on break.
— Matt Waxman (@Matthew_Waxman) June 9, 2022
I have tested positive for Covid. I’m feeling meh. Wouldn’t even post except I know I’ve come into contact with a lot of people (prob how I got it). Sad to miss 10k dealers choice most of all.
— David Baker (@audavidb) June 5, 2022
Just tested positive for Covid. Been home feeling rough for a few days, but first two tests were negative. This time the second line on the test popped up right away. Wife also has it and feeling miserable.
— Chris Wallace (@foxpokerfox) June 10, 2022
Above are just a few of the well known players who have tested positive, but if you Twitter search the words 'tested positive WSOP' you will see that COVID appears to be rife right now at the series. It's hard to extrapolate how many more people might be positive who don't use social media, don't have symptoms or who are keeping their COVID status secret, but one can assume the numbers are quite high now.
This year there are no mask or vaccination requirements at the WSOP and the onus is on the players to follow the CDC guidelines of self reporting.
Will we see emergency COVID rules implemented? Let us know in the comments:
