One day after his debut, it was reported that Mertz tested positive for COVID-19. He needed a second test to confirm that and on Tuesday morning, CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd reported that Mertz has tested positive for a second time. Because he tested positive for COVID-19, Mertz must now self-isolate for 10 days. After that isolation, Mertz will have to go through extensive cardiac testing before he can take the field again. The earliest any Big Ten student-athlete can return to competition after testing positive for COVID-19 is 21 days.
That is where the question of when the positive test was administered becomes important. Wisconsin’s November 14 game against Michigan could be Mertz’s first game back, depending on when the test was administered.