Member of WHL’s Kelowna Rockets tests positive for COVID-19

The Western Hockey League reported its first case of COVID-19 Thursday.

In a media release, the WHL said a member of the Kelowna Rockets “team cohort” tested positive during the initial phase of return-to-play testing.

Another member of the team considered to be a close contact of the person who tested positive is also self-isolating. The pair will follow directions from all regional public health guidelines.

“Due to the fact the positive test result for COVID-19 was discovered during the initial return-to-play testing phase for the Kelowna Rockets and prior to the Club beginning team activities, other members of the team cohort are permitted to continue on the original timeline associated with their return to play,” the media release said.

The WHL will not reschedule games at this point.

The B.C. Division was the last of the WHL’s four divisions to return to play.

A 24-game schedule is set to begin on March 26 from two hub sites — Kamloops and Kelowna.