North Carolina athletics has paused activities until at least 5 p.m. on Thursday following an upward trend in positive COVID-19 tests on campus.

The athletics department announced the news just about 24 hours before that initial deadline after officials said they consulted with health experts and leaders on campus. Campus recreation facilities also will be closed.

“We want to make sure we continue to do everything we can to ensure that that our teams, campus and community remain healthy,” Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said in a statement.

On Monday, UNC announced that all undergraduate classes would shift to remote learning and asked that students residing in on-campus residence halls move home. International students, student-athletes, ROTC students, and students with hardships are allowed to stay on campus, if they choose.

Student-athletes will continue to have access to academic support, student-athlete development, medical care and nutrition. All students, coaches and staff will continue to be expected to follow Carolina’s Community Standards.

The Daily Tar Heel reported that UNC had previously announced it intended to allow athletes to remain on campus, even as it asked the general student body to cancel their housing contracts and return to a permanent address.

A spokesman added that this pause doesn’t change plans for playing games this season.

“We still are expecting to play this fall, and we will continue to evaluate the situation in coordination with the University, the ACC, state and local officials, and health officials,” the spokesperson said. “The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, and community remains our priority.”