English football confirms new Covid-19 tests

The overall sample size was 1,179 this time around, meaning over 5,000 tests have been carried out on players and staff associated with Championship clubs since May 21. [Photo: EFL]

The English Football League (EFL) has confirmed that two more people have tested positive for novel coronavirus.

EFL  affirmed in a statement on Monday that two individuals connected to Championship clubs tested positive in the latest round of testing.

Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities.

“Following the latest round of COVID-19 testing, the EFL can confirm that 1179 players and Club staff from the 24 Championship Clubs were tested over the course of Wednesday 3 June, Thursday 4 June, Friday 5 June and Saturday 6 June, with two individuals testing positive from two Clubs,” part of EFL’s statement read.

EFL also confirmed zero positive cases after 135 players and club staff from League One underwent testing last week.

“Following the first round of COVID-19 testing in League One, the EFL can confirm that 135 players and Club staff were tested from four League One Clubs over the course of Wednesday 3 June, Thursday 4 June, Friday 5 June and Saturday 6 June with zero individuals testing positive,” said EFL.

In League Two, one person tested positive after 132 players and club staff were examined in the course of last week.

“Following the latest round of COVID-19 testing, the EFL can confirm that 132 players and Club staff were tested from four League Two Clubs over the course of Wednesday 3 June, Thursday 4 June, Friday 5 June and Saturday 6 June with one individual testing positive,” EFL added.

The EFL reaffirmed that it will continue to make regular and relevant announcements as appropriate in respect of the testing programme to support competition integrity and transparency.

No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League.

One of the positive results came at Barnsley, the Tykes confirmed, with the club saying the individual is "safe" and "remains upbeat".

Barnsley is a professional football club in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England, which plays in the Championship, the second tier of English football.

The Championship is set to resume on June 20, three days after the English Premier League makes a comeback.

We can confirm that one member of staff has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus following the last round of testing.

The individual is safe and remains upbeat. — Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) June 7, 2020