TAMPA (NewsNation Now) — University of Florida athletic officials say they have paused football team activities after an increase in positive coronavirus tests among players.

The announcement from UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin came Tuesday afternoon.

The Gators had 19 positives following Tuesday morning testing, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of privacy laws. The University of Florida is part of the Southeastern Conference.

Stricklin says head coach Dan Mullen has been in communication with football players and their parents, as well as had conversations with the SEC. The school says the situation will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

The Gators are scheduled to play the defending national champion LSU Tigers on Saturday.

The news comes just one day after Dan Mullen had said he wanted to pack “90,000 screaming fans inside Florida Field.”

The SEC released fan safety guidelines in September including face masks and social distancing.

For the full 2020 SEC football season schedule click here.

NewsNation affiliate WFLA contributed to this report.

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