Covid-19: Record 103 positive cases confirmed in the Premier League as more games are postponed

From over 15,000 tests taken from December 20 through to Boxing Day saw a record of 103 confirmed positive cases.

Another setback for the Premier League as a record 103 new confirmed Coronavirus positive cases have been revealed, from 15,186 tests.

The Premier League met earlier in December to discuss the possibility of postponing the Premier League, with clubs being ravaged by Covid-19, with many teams unable to fulfil fixtures due to outbreaks.

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Three Premier League games were postponed on Boxing Day due to Covid outbreaks, with Liverpool v Leeds, Wolves v Watford and Burnley v Everton were all cancelled. Aston Villa v Chelsea went ahead despite manager Steven Gerrard testing positive, and Tottenham v Crystal Palace also went ahead despite Palace manager Patrick Vieira also testing positive.

Due to many teams experiencing outbreaks, testing was ramped up, with lateral flow tests being taken daily, and PCR tests are now being taken twice a week.

As well as increase in the amount of tests, extra measures behind the scenes at football clubs are also being introduced, such as face-coverings being used in indoor settings, and social distancing being utilised where possible.

Over the last fortnight, 15 top-flight games have been cancelled as a result of Covid outbreaks, with managers concerned at the hectic schedule, with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson speaking out about his ‘concern’ that no one takes player welfare seriously.

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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been vocal and thrown his support behind the Premier League reintroducing the five substitutes rule, to help ease the pressure on players, with clubs wanting to use their considerable squad depth.

With figures provided by Sky Sports, here’s the figures in regards to testing and positive results:

2 Aug-8 Aug 3,118 tested; 9 positive 9 Aug-15 Aug 3,231 tests; 11 positive 16 Aug-22 Aug 3,060 tests; 16 positive 23 Aug-29 Aug 3,020 tests; six positive 30 Aug-5 Sep 1,952 tests; two positive 6 Sep-12 Sep 3,039 tests; three positive 13 Sep-19 Sep 3,154 tests; two positive 20 Sep-26 Sep 3,010 tests; one positive 27 Sep-3 Oct 2,927 tests; four positive 4 Oct-10 Oct 1,696 tests; zero positive 11 Oct-17 Oct 3,044 tests; six positive 18 Oct-24 Oct 3,209 tests; four positive 25-31 Oct 3,006 tests; four positive 1-7 Nov 2,953 tests; three positive 8-14 Nov 1,647 tests; four positive 15-21 Nov 3,188 tests; six positive 22-28 Nov 3,379 tests; seven positive 29 Nov-5 Dec 3,154 tests; 12 positive 6-12 Dec 3,805 tests; 42 positive 13-19 Dec 12,345 tests; 90 positive - testing increased to daily lateral flow testing and twice-weekly PCR testing 20-26 Dec 15,186 tests; 103 positive

The future of English domestic football is currently unclear, the meeting that was commenced earlier in December was resolved with the notion that football will continue as planned, with hefty rescheduling needed, so it will all hinge on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plans for the country following Christmas.

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