English Premier League: 103 Players, Staff Infected With COVID-19

No fewer than one hundred and three staff and players of English Premier League clubs have tested positive for the dreaded COVID-19 disease.

Ezenwoko's Blog understands that the disturbing development was confirmed in an official statement released on Monday by the English football governing body.

The new record is said to be the highest weekly number recorded since testing figures surge up in May last year.

The league has also confirmed it has reverted to emergency measures following a raft of top-flight postponements.

So far, between December 20 and Sunday, 15,186 COVID-19 tests were administered on players and club staff. Of these, Ezenwoko's Blog understands there were 103 new positive cases.

The development has called for increased testing to daily lateral flow and twice-weekly PCR tests. Lateral flow testing was previously carried out twice a week.

“The League can today confirm that between December 20 and Sunday, 15,186 COVID-19 tests were administered on players and club staff. Of these, there were 103 new positive cases,” the English football board said in a statement.

The statement added: “The Premier League's COVID-19 emergency measures include protocols such as wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing, limiting treatment time, as well as the increased testing,” the statement added. “The League is continuing to work with clubs to keep people safe by helping mitigate the risks of COVID-19 within their squads.”

The Premier League further stressed that “we are also liaising closely” with the government, local authorities, and supporter groups while “being responsive to any future changes to national or local guidance.”

In another news, Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio-cultural group in Nigeria has in a bid to encourage its younger tribesmen in engaging in social activities, especially sports, established a football association.

Ezenwoko's Blog reports that the Jigawa State chapter Chairman of the association, Alhaji Umar Dubantu, disclosed this during interaction with news reporters in Dutse, the state capital on Monday.

Dubantu told journalists that the group will roll out talent discovery events for nomadic children across the state.

Dubantu said the sporting association would socially lead to the inclusion of the Fulani youth in all aspects of life, like their counterparts across the country.

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