The first Overwatch League (OWL) player has tested positive for coronavirus. Eoghan “Smex” O’Neill, the off-tank for the Paris Eternal, revealed today on Twitter that he has the virus.
Recovering pretty well from the past week and a bit. Up and down vibes but overall I’m coming out feeling a lot better heading home today. Got covid tho so have to isolate for a week and a bit at home but symptoms are Barely mild.
— smex 🇬🇧 (@smexy) March 28, 2020
Smex says his symptoms are mild
Smex states in his tweet that his coronavirus symptoms are mild and that he’s feeling “a lot better heading home today.” The virus affects everyone differently, and hopefully, his symptoms don’t end up getting worse.
Smex is also recovering from a valve replacement in his heart. This surgery has prevented him from playing multiple games in the 2020 OWL season. He will continue to miss games until he makes a full recovery.
Smex signed with the Paris Eternal this year after playing in Contenders and for the English World Cup Team. So far, his health has kept him from playing in multiple games. His team has done alright so far and is currently 4-2 and seventh place in the OWL standings.
Coronavirus in the OWL
So far, Smex is the first Overwatch League player to have the virus. Ex-Dallas Fuel damage player Timo “Taimou” Kettunen also had the disease, but he is no longer in the league. Hopefully, Smex has not been in close contact with any of his Paris teammates and the disease will not spread to them or anyone else.
The OWL has already canceled all remaining homestands for the season as well as moved the mid-season invitational due to the coronavirus. This weekend is the first weekend with OWL games for a few weeks, and all the games are being played, cast, and streamed online.
Hopefully, Smex is the first and last case of the coronavirus in the OWL. It is likely that there will continue to be regulations in place for the rest of the 2020 Overwatch League season to prevent further spread of the virus.
