NEW YORK: The number of positive COVID-19 cases in the NFL more than doubled in the past week, according to numbers released Tuesday by the league and the NFL Players Association. Testing for Nov. 1-7 resulted in 56 new cases: 15 positive tests among players and 41 confirmed positives among other personnel. In the previous monitoring period from Oct 25-31, the NFL and NFLPA reported eight new confirmed positive tests among players and 17 new confirmed positives among other personnel.

On this latest report, the league said 42,978 tests were administered to a total of 7,922 players and team personnel. Among those, 16,785 tests were administered to 2,486 players and 26,193 tests were given to 5,436 personnel. Since monitoring began Aug 1, 78 players and 140 other personnel have had confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. In all, approximately 600,000 tests have been administered to players and personnel through Nov 7.

16-team playoff field
Meanwhile, NFL owners have approved a proposal to expand the playoff field from 14 teams to 16 if clubs are unable to complete the same number of regular-season games due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal, which passed unanimously, is a key contingency plan for the league aiming to complete its 2020 season on schedule even as COVID-19 cases surge again across the United States. "Our objective is for all teams to safely and responsibly complete the regular season within our 17-week schedule and have a full post-season culminating with a Super Bowl - with fans in the stands - on Feb. 7th in Tampa," Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters on Tuesday after the league's virtual meeting.

"We are committed to completing the season as scheduled. Today's resolution was part of our contingency planning should it be needed. "The resolution passed today established criteria for post-season eligibility in the event that all clubs cannot play the same number of regular-season games." The NFL has seen numerous COVID-19 positives among players, staff and personnel this season, forcing delays and rescheduling of games. So far, through nine weeks of competition, no games have been canceled outright.

The league enhanced its COVID-19 safety protocols last week, instructing teams to broaden the use of face coverings and expand the sideline area. It also stripped the Las Vegas Raiders of a sixth-round draft pick for repeated breaches. The league also approved a proposal designed to boost diversity among head coaches and executive staff, which Goodell outlined as a key goal earlier this year amid criticism over the NFL's largely homogenous coaching and executive ranks.

Under the plan, pending approval of the NFL Players Association, teams that develop minority employees who are then hired by another club as a head coach or primary football executive will receive third-round picks in the subsequent two drafts. "Our effort here is to continue to look at everything we're doing to try to improve our policies, our procedures, to encourage and to get the results we want, which is more diversity and inclusion within our ranks," said Goodell. - Agencies