Premier League Confirm 10 New Cases of COVID-19 in Latest Tests
By Tom Gott
The Premier League have confirmed ten cases of COVID-19 were detected in the latest round of testing - the highest number since the season began.
Up until now, the highest number of new cases was six, which were detected back in May. Since the season resumed, each round of testing has produced either three or four positive tests.
4️⃣ teams with a 100% record ? pic.twitter.com/AGIlzJSms6
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 29, 2020
"The Premier League can today [Monday] confirm that between Monday 21 September and Sunday 27 September, 1,595 players and Club staff were tested for COVID-19," a statement on the league's official website read.
"Of these, there were ten new positive tests. Players or Club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of ten days.
"The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency. No specific details as to Clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing."
West Ham recently confirmed they had detected three cases of the virus, with David Moyes, Issa Diop and Josh Cullen all testing positive, and Manchester City midfielder İlkay Gündoğan was also found to have contracted COVID-19.
The impact of the rise in new cases is already being seen across England. Moyes was forced to manage West Ham over the phone in their 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Tottenham were given a bye in the Carabao Cup after the Leyton Orient squad were hit hard by the virus and unable to field a squad.
We will be auctioning our match-worn shirts from tomorrow's Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Chelsea in aid of the @JE3Foundation, set up in the memory of Justin Edinburgh.#THFC ⚪️ #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 28, 2020
Premier League clubs are growing concerned that the UK Government's refusal to allow small numbers of fans to return to games will have lasting financial impacts on plenty of sides, including smaller teams who are on the brink of liquidation.
An emergency meeting will be held on Tuesday to try and figure out a way to support all levels of football during these unprecedented times, although it is expected that the Premier League will push for more information from the Government before reaching a final decision.