24 May 2020

Two more positive tests in UK Premier League

11:37 am on 24 May 2020

Two people from two English Premier League clubs have tested positive for coronavirus after a second batch of testing.

Patient samples at a safety workbench for coronavirus testing.

Coronavirus test samples. (File photo). Photo: AFP

It takes the number of positive tests to eight from England's top-flight football clubs, whose players returned to limited group training on Tuesday.

"The Premier League can today confirm that on Tuesday 19 May, Thursday 21 May and Friday 22 May, 996 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19. Of these, two have tested positive from two clubs," the statement said.

"Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days."

The Premier league said it would not be providing details of the identities of the two new positive tests.

No matches have been played in the Premier League since March, but the government has given the green light for a return for elite sport on 1 June.

The Premier League's "Project Restart" hopes to resume action in June, although no date has been fixed on the calendar.

A number of doctors from Premier League clubs have previously raised concerns about the plans to resume play.

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