Premier League announce record number of positive Covid cases with 103 as virus causes matches to be postponed
THE PREMIER LEAGUE has announced a record 103 Covid cases were recorded from December 20-26.
It comes as stacks of games across the country have been postponed as a result of a spike in case numbers.
A Prem statement on Monday read: “The safety of everyone is a priority and the Premier League is taking all precautionary steps in response to the impact of the Omicron variant.
“The league has reverted to its emergency measures, and has increased testing of players and club staff to daily lateral flow and twice-weekly PCR tests, having previously carried out lateral flow testing twice a week.
“The league can today confirm between Monday 20 December and Sunday 26 December, 15,186 Covid-19 tests were administered on players and club staff.
“Of these, there were 103 new positive cases.
“The Premier League’s Covid-19 emergency measures include protocols such as wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing, limiting treatment time, as well as the increased testing.
“The league is continuing to work with clubs to keep people safe by helping mitigate the risks of Covid-19 within their squads.
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Latest PL Covid figures
After the Premier League announced a record number of positive Covid tests in the week leading up to Boxing Day, here is the latest info you need to know...
Between Monday 20 December and Thursday 23 December, 8,936 Covid-19 tests were administered across 3,615 players and club staff.
Of these, there were 55 new positive tests.
Between Friday 24 December and Sunday 26 December, 6,250 Covid-19 tests were administered across 2,403 players and club staff.
Of these, there were 48 new positive tests.
In line with testing provisions in healthcare, the Premier League are using lateral flow tests this season, and anyone who tests positive then takes a PCR test to confirm the result.
The number of ‘core’ individuals being tested at every club has increased from 85 to 100.
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“We are also liaising closely with the Government, local authorities and supporter groups, while being responsive to any future changes to national or local guidance.
“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 on a weekly basis.”
On Boxing Day, 18 of the 20 Prem clubs were set to be in action before Manchester United’s visit to Newcastle Monday.
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But three games were been called off, with Liverpool’s match against Leeds, Watford’s trip to Wolves and Burnley vs Everton being pushed back.
Arsenal vs Wolves was scheduled to take place on Tuesday but that was axed on Boxing Day due to an increase in case numbers among Wolves’ squad.
And it came after Leeds’ game with Aston Villa was canned on the same day.
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Final Premier League fixtures in 2021
Boxing Day – results
- Liverpool vs Leeds – postponed
- Wolves vs Watford – postponed
- Burnley vs Everton – postponed
- Man City 6-3 Leicester
- Norwich 0-5 Arsenal
- Tottenham 3-0 Crystal Palace
- West Ham 2-3 Southampton
- Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea
- Brighton 2-0 Brentford
Monday, December 27
- Newcastle vs Man Utd – 8pm – Sky Sports
Tuesday, December 28
- Leeds vs Aston Villa – postponed
- Arsenal vs Wolves – postponed
- Crystal Palace vs Norwich – 3pm – Amazon Prime
- Southampton vs Tottenham – 3pm – Amazon Prime
- Watford vs West Ham – 3pm – Amazon Prime
- Leicester vs Liverpool – 8pm – Amazon Prime
Wednesday, December 29
- Chelsea vs Brighton – 7.30pm – Amazon Prime
- Brentford vs Man City – 8.15pm – Amazon Prime
Thursday, December 30
- Everton vs Newcastle – 7.30pm – Amazon Prime
- Manchester United vs Burnley – 8.15pm – Amazon Prime