WWE employee positive for COVID-19, live shows to resume Monday

Despite reports that a WWE employee has tested positive for COVID-19, the promotion will go ahead with live shows starting on Monday.

The WWE will resume filming live shows as of Monday, despite the worldwide coronavirus pandemic which has claimed thousands of lives. This comes just after news of a WWE employee testing positive for COVID-19.

“We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times,” reads a statement from the WWE to ESPN on Saturday. “We are producing content on a closed set with only essential personnel in attendance following appropriate guidelines while taking additional precautions to ensure the health and wellness of our performers and staff. As a brand that has been woven into the fabric of society, WWE and its Superstars bring families together and deliver a sense of hope, determination and perseverance.”

The WWE member’s illness was confirmed by the promotion but was called “low risk.” The identity of the employee was not revealed but was thought to be an on-screen talent but not part of the regular roster of wrestlers according to Pro Wrestling Sheet.

“A WWE employee has tested positive for COVID-19. We believe this matter is low risk to WWE talent and staff, as the individual and a roommate became symptomatic in the days following exposure to two people working in acute health care on the evening of March 26, after WWE’s TV production on a closed set was already complete. The employee had no contact with anyone from WWE since being exposed to those two individuals, is doing well, and made a complete recovery.”

The WWE has been airing pre-taped content, including WrestleMania 36, but will resume with live shows including Raw, NXT and SmackDown.

These shows will be filmed in the Florida-based training center, despite a state-wide stay at home order prohibiting a business from running non-essential operations in hopes to combat the spread of the virus.

At press time the most up to date numbers have the coronavirus statistics at 529,768 affected, 31,186 recovered and 20,456 dead in the United States alone. The worldwide death toll is thought to be 108,281.