Premier League confirms 40 positive cases in latest week of coronavirus tests

The Premier League has confirmed that two rounds of coronavirus testing on players and staff between 28 December and 3 January revealed 40 new positive cases.

There were 28 new cases found in 1,311 tests administered between 28 December and 31 December, with a further 12 new cases from 984 tests between 1 January and 3 January.

Outbreaks have happened at both Manchester City and Fulham, leading to three games involving those clubs being postponed. The only other game that has fallen foul of coronavirus this season was between Newcastle and Aston Villa in early December because of an outbreak at the former.

The current spike in positive cases appear to be largely contained to Manchester City and Fulham, as the Premier League has explained that there are otherwise ‘low numbers of positive tests across the overwhelming majority of clubs’.

But having 40 positive coronavirus tests in one week is a significant leap from the previous high, which was 18 positive cases discovered in the week of 21 – 27 December.

It replicates the wider picture happening in the rest of the UK where the more dangerous strain of coronavirus is ripping through the country at an alarming rate, pressuring the government into a third national lockdown in a bid to get the transmission under control.

But the Premier League is still expressing confidence that the correct safety procedures and protocols are in place for games to keep going ahead. Those fixtures that have had to be postponed so far will be re-arranged as soon as is possible.

A number of players were found to be breaking coronavirus restrictions over the Christmas period, including three from Tottenham attending an illegal gathering on Christmas Day. There have since been calls for football authorities to punish and ban players caught flouting the rules.

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