San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne tested positive for COVID-19 this week. It was the second time in less than a week that the fourth-year player tested positive. Last week, the two tests that followed his positive test returned negative, and he was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list the day after the 49ers' 34-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
With San Francisco scheduled to face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, it sounds like he could be available for the game this time around.
The 49ers are not permitted to comment on a player's medical status surrounding COVID-19 other than referring to the roster status. On Wednesday, Shanahan was asked about Bourne, though.
"I'm not allowed to talk about it, but it's what you've heard," Shanahan responded. "I mean, positive, negative, negative, positive, negative."
Shanahan is referring to the results of the tests. The first positive was from last week, which was followed by two negatives. Then a positive again this week, followed by a negative.
That means Bourne has tested negative since being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week. It also means that the receiver did indeed test positive for the virus again and wasn't placed on the list due to close contact with an infected person or persons.
Bourne will require one more negative test result before being allowed to rejoin his teammates.
"I think everyone, those things happen, I guess, and we're all just dealing with it," Shanahan continued. "I know it's a weird situation with him. It kind of is weird, though, with everybody in the world, not just our football players.
"So, we're just trying to do the best with the protocols and hope that he gets cleared up to where it's always negative, and hopefully, we can get him out of here later in the week."