This archive report was first published on 25 May 2020.
Published on May 25, 2020, the Premier League has announced two new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of positive results to eight.
One of the new cases is a player from Bournemouth, who will self-isolate for seven days. The identity of the player will not be disclosed. The other positive case is from a different unnamed club.
Tests were conducted on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of last week, with 996 players and club staff tested. The Premier League has increased the number of tests available to each club from 40 to 50 for the second round of testing.
Speaking on Friday, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters expressed confidence about restarting the league in June, stating, “Following strict adherence to the Premier League’s return to training regulations, the club’s training ground remains a safe working environment for players and backroom staff, who will continue to be tested for Covid-19 twice per week,” Bournemouth said in a statement.
The first round of testing, announced on May 19, returned six positive tests at three clubs from the 748 players and staff tested. This included the positive tests of Watford defender Adrian Mariappa and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan.
The Premier League has 92 fixtures remaining, with squads starting non-contact training from Tuesday for the first time since the league was suspended on March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
