The WWE has confirmed the first-known COVID-19 case among its employees.
According to a statement provided to Pro Wrestling Sheet, the unnamed individual had contracted the disease on March 26, after the WWE had wrapped up production for its pre-recorded events, like Night 1 and Night 2 of WrestleMania 36. The company emphasized that the infected employee had no contact with any other WWE staff or talent since he/she was exposed. The individual has reportedly made a complete recovery.
Sources also told Pro Wrestling Sheet the employee was an on-air talent, but not an in-ring performer.
The statement read:
"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 confirmation arrives shortly after Frightful published a WWE internal memo informing its team about the infected employee: "... We believe this matter is low-risk to you per the following chronology ... Those of you who were potentially exposed would be cleared for travel by the evening of Thursday, April 9 at the latest, since the last possible exposure to any WWE talent personnel should have been at least 14 days prior."
The WWE has face criticism over its decision to continue production amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company has spent the last several weeks pre-recording its shows on closed sets; however, the WWE said it will resume live taping beginning next week, with "only essential personnel" present.
Per the WWE's statement to ESPN:
"We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times. 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."
