Premier League Confirm One New Coronavirus Case From Recent Round of Testing
By Ali Rampling
The Premier League has confirmed that one player has tested positive for coronavirus in their latest round of COVID-19 tests.
The top flight returned to action on Wednesday following a three month hiatus as a result of the global pandemic.
The weekend before the season resumed, two players had tested positive for coronavirus - with Norwich confirming that one was one of their own.
Norwich City can confirm that one of its players has returned a positive test result following the recent round of COVID-19 testing
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) June 13, 2020
In line with the Premier League’s protocols, the player will now self-isolate for a period of seven days before being tested again at a later date
A statement released on the Premier League's official website read: "The Premier League can today [Thursday] confirm that on Monday 15 June and Tuesday 16 June, 1,541 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of these, one person has tested positive."
They did not divulge which club the positive test came from, or whether it was from a player or member of club staff.
There has been a total of 15 positive cases in the Premier League since testing began on 17 May.
Individuals who test positive are expected to self-isolate for seven days before being tested again. However, those who have come into contact with them are not required to go into quarantine.
The Premier League has been forced to make a multitude of adaptations in order for the league to safely resume.
Players and staff have been told to observe social distance guidelines when celebrating goals, avoid shaking hands and mass confrontations, not spit or clear their nose, only use their own water bottle and use hand sanitiser before and after every game.
There are no ball boys or ball girls, club medics who enter the field of play to administer treatment have to wear full PPE and teams must enter the pitch separately from the tunnel in order to observe social distancing guidelines.
The number of substitutions permitted has been increased from three to five in order to cope with the heavy fixture schedule.
Fans caught a glimpse of the new laws in action on Wednesday evening as the Premier League returned to action, with Aston Villa and Sheffield United playing out a 0-0 draw and Manchester City beating Arsenal 3-0.