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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 26) – A new date has been set for the start of the Philippine Soccer League season after delays due to confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the sports bubble.
From the original start date of October 25, the 2020 PFL season will open on Wednesday at the Philippine Soccer Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
However, only four of the six teams will be able to compete after two clubs recorded a total of nine COVID-19 cases on October 21. An antigen test will also be done before the game for the rest of the teams playing.
“Those two clubs that have had positive cases will not be able to play yet until they are all subject to testing,” PFL Commissioner Coco Torre told CNN Philippines on Monday.
He said the two anonymous clubs with positive cases will undergo antigen testing every other day for a week. They are currently in isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the bubble.
“Those clubs that tested positive will continue to do so every other day. Yesterday we met with several doctors and the consensus is that the antigen test every two days up to seven days, until they can play now. Most likely, those clubs will lose the first game, “he said.
After the announcement of the cases, all players, coaches and staff underwent antigen testing on Sunday. They all gave negative test results.
The Health Department, however, has noted that antigen tests can only detect infection in those showing symptoms of COVID-19 and patients with high viral loads. It cannot detect infection if the person has no symptoms or is presymptomatic. He advises the use of RT-PCR tests, which is still the “gold standard”.
Related: DOH cautions PBA against using antigen tests
The league will release a revised game schedule on Monday.
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