Most severe of these disruptions has come in ice hockey, with the NHL postponing several games including three Calgary Flames ties after six players and a staff member entered the COVID-19 protocol in a 24-hour period.

These games were set to be against the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

For the same reason, Carolina Hurricanes' tie with Minnesota Wild has been delayed due to COVID-19 cases within Carolina.

Last month, the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders had NHL games postponed too.

This could throw doubt to NHL players travelling for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, despite an agreement made for players to compete at the Games.

According to ESPN journalist Adam Schefter, 75 NFL players have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two days.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr and eight other players were placed on the COVID-19 list, leading to the closing of its training facility.

Beckham scored a touchdown in a 30-23 win over Arizona Cardinals, a game where four Rams players were removed due to protocols.

The Cleveland Browns had to remove eight players too, including Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry.

Los Angeles Lakers cancelled practice yesterday after guard Talen Horton-Tucker tested positive, a day after the NBA postponed two Chicago Bulls games after 10 players were placed in protocols - making it the first delays of the season.

Seven members of the Brooklyn Nets, including James Harden, have entered protocol too, as has Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Nets had just the minimum of eight players available for last night's contest with the Toronto Raptors.

Players must spend 10 days in isolation or return two negative polymerase chain reaction tests in less than 24 hours.