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However, the Premier League insisted that the protocols in place remain strict enough to avoid another shutdown like the three-month shutdown between March and June earlier this year.
Manchester City midfielder Raheem Sterling vies with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire (L) during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on 12 December 2020. Image: AFP
LONDON – The Premier League confirmed on Tuesday that 18 players and staff tested positive for coronavirus, the highest number since weekly testing began.
Manchester City’s clash at Everton was postponed on Monday after an outbreak of multiple positive cases at City.
“The Premier League can confirm today that between Monday, December 21 and Sunday, December 27, 1,479 players and club personnel were screened for Covid-19,” the league said in a statement.
“Of these, there were 18 new positive tests. Players or club staff who tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days.”
That figure surpassed the previously recorded high of 16 from November 9-15.
Sheffield United said it has recorded a series of positive tests, but its trip to Burnley later on Tuesday and the other six Premier League games this week are still set to continue.
“Sheffield United can confirm that the club recorded a series of positive tests for coronavirus after the latest round of testing,” the Blades said in a statement.
“Individuals who tested positive have now entered a period of self-isolation according to Premier League and Government guidelines.”
Southampton revealed that coach Ralph Hassenhuttl will not attend his team’s game against West Ham as a member of his family tested positive.
City had already announced on Christmas Day that there had been four positive tests at the club for players Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus and two staff members before the latest positive cases on Monday.
The club’s training ground has been closed for an “indeterminate period” with further testing of players and staff before it can be reopened.
City will face Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday and Manchester United in the semi-finals of the League Cup on January 6.
Everton-City’s postponement was only the second time a Premier League game was canceled due to COVID-19 since the 2019/20 season resumed in June.
Aston Villa’s clash with Newcastle earlier this month was postponed due to an outbreak at Newcastle’s training ground.
However, the Premier League insisted that the protocols in place remain strict enough to avoid another shutdown like the three-month shutdown between March and June earlier this year.
“The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and in the way all clubs are implementing them,” the league said in a statement on Monday.
Further down the pyramid of English football, postponements increase with seven of the 12 games scheduled for Tuesday in League One canceled due to COVID-19 infections.
The number of positive tests recorded over a 24-hour period in England and Wales reached a new record of 41,385 on Monday, according to figures from the UK government.
“I think we all feel that this next period could be difficult with what has been going on before Christmas with Covid in general,” Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said, with Sunday’s clash with City now in doubt.
“I think the Premier League and the clubs have done a great job to keep football going in difficult circumstances, so hopefully we can keep it going.”
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