South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin revealed Tuesday he tested positive for COVID-19 last month and has recovered. Martin, who did not require hospitalization, shared his personal brush with the coronavirus in a statement on the school’s website and tagged it with a call to action urging people to educate themselves about the virus and to listen to the advice of medical professionals.
“Early last month, in preparation for a knee replacement surgery, I took a COVID-19 test on May 8. Two days later I received results that I had tested positive,” Martin said. “I was shocked; I didn’t have any symptoms, other than feeling a bit fatigued, and I immediately entered quarantine at my home. I’m thankful to say that I did not have to be hospitalized.”
Martin quarantined himself for two weeks at home and returned to the doctor May 23 for a follow-up appointment, where he tested negative. He says he was concerned about potentially infecting his family, but they all tested negative.
“My immediate concern was for my family, who I have been with every single day since mid-March, and if I had infected them; would they develop symptoms, would they have to be hospitalized; the anxiety, guilt, and general angst I experienced after testing positive was overwhelming,” he said. “I’m so thankful and appreciative for the well-being of my family and my personal health at this time, and I’ve thought and reflected on the many families who have not been as fortunate.”
Martin, 54, isn’t the first prominent coach to have been impacted by the disease. Patrick Ewing and Sean Payton also contracted the virus and subsequently recovered. He says he finds himself fortunate to have gotten past the virus with only mild symptoms, but preaches patience as we learn more throughout the pandemic.
“This experience is still very raw, so let’s keep being patient as we continue to move towards normalcy,” he said. “We have a responsibility to protect, help and care for each other. Let’s continue to educate ourselves about this virus, and follow the advice of medical professionals and do what we can to prevent the spread.”
