SK Gaming will play week two of the LEC 2022 Summer Split remotely after top laner Janik “JNX” Bartels tested positive for COVID-19.

After a major spike in March 2022, COVID-19 cases in Berlin, Germany dramatically dropped in May. However, since June, more and more cases of COVID-19 are starting to emerge, and the problem has now had an impact on the LEC's SK Gaming.

The announcement was made just a few hours before the start of week 2’s scheduled games, where SK Gaming is slated to take on Astralis at 12 p.m. ET. Originally, the match was meant to take place on the LEC stage in front of an audience, and everything will remain the same, except that one team’s set of chairs will be left empty for this week with SK Gaming playing from their base, and JNX from home.

JNX is "already feeling better"

“Earlier this week, our LEC top laner JNX exhibited COVID-19 symptoms and subsequently tested positive for the virus,” SK Gaming wrote on Twitter. “As such, this weekend we will sadly be unable to play our games in front of the audience at the LEC Studio. The team will participate from our Berlin Magenta Facility instead, while JNX himself plays from home.”

The other SK Gaming players and staff, “remain in good health” while “JNX is already feeling better”, according to the statement. Nonetheless, SK Gaming will take all precauations and safety measures with JNX to remain isolated from the team in week two, performing from the safety of his home.

SK Gaming are currently 1-2 in the LEC 2022 Summer Split after defeating Team BDS on opening day and losing to MAD Lions and Fnatic. They will look to make a comeback in week two, with matches against Astralis and Misfits that they will be hoping to win to improve their record to 3-2 by the end of the week.

LEC recently made a return to live audiences during the LEC 2022 Spring Finals. The live audience has extended into the LEC 2022 Summer Split as well.