Coronavirus: Nineteen positive tests in latest Premiership Rugby screening

Premiership Rugby clubs have returned 19 positive tests in the latest round of testing – down from last week’s total of 33.

The tests – carried out on Monday and Tuesday – saw 981 players and management from 12 clubs screened as part of the league’s program.

Of those who were tested, 19 people – from eight different clubs – tested positive. Sixteen of those who tested positive were players and three were members of staff.

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Those who tested positive and their close contacts are isolated and assessed in line with the Public Health England-agreed guidelines.

Last week, 33 people – 24 players and nine members of staff – tested positive from a group of 951 screened.

Premiership Rugby recently implemented a rule banning face-to-face celebrations as part of new measures aimed at reducing the amount of fixtures lost to postponements.

Ice baths are also off-limits, and players are also now forbidden from shaking hands at full-time. Team meetings must take place outdoors or virtually.

The new measures come after five matches were cancelled in 12 days due to coronavirus outbreaks – including Saturday’s east midlands derby between Northampton and Leicester.

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