COVID-19 strikes yet another esports event this week. On Wednesday and Thursday, we saw Riot suspend the last chance qualifiers for NA Valorant to ensure player and staff safety due to players’ COVID-19 tests coming up positive and Los Angeles County’s decree regarding positive COVID-19 tests. Now, it seems as though two members of staff have tested positive for COVID-19, requiring both talent and players to mask up and take additional precautions during the Dota 2 TI10 broadcast.

Many viewers tuning in for the TI10 broadcast noticed that both players and talent had begun wearing masks after the T1 and Vici Gaming series. Prior to this match, both talent and players were not wearing masks as it seemed like the open-air venue at the National Arena was enough to suspend COVID-19 precautions. 

A few minutes ago, Valve would address viewer concerns through Twitter, informing viewers and followers that two individuals had tested positive for COVID-19 during their daily COVID-19 testing. In order to prevent further contamination, Valve requires that all those who had been in contact with those individuals to isolate while everyone at the event take additional precautions to prevent spread, such as wearing masks and respecting social distances.

Earlier this month, Team Aster, one of the Chinese teams participating at the Dota 2 TI10, would test positive for COVID-19 and share that their entire team had fallen ill to COVID. Eventually, both Aster and Invictus Gaming, whose team members also caught COVID, would be cleared for competition by Valve after finally testing negative.

As of right now, we are uncertain as to who has tested positive for COVID-19 at TI10. However, as a majority of talent are now masked up, some on Reddit are speculating it could possibly be one of the members of the broadcast team. 

We wish a speedy recovery to those who tested positive and hope that all those at TI10 continue to wear masks, wash their hands, and take additional precautions for the safety of themselves and others.