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FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-VIRUS-HEALTH
Chelsea’s Hudson-Odoi becomes first Premier League player with coronavirus
LONDON, March 13, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Chelsea’s players and coaching staff
were ordered into isolation as Callum Hudson-Odoi became the first Premier
League player confirmed to have the new coronavirus late on Thursday.
The news casts the viability of this weekend’s games further into doubt
after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive, also throwing their team
into lockdown.
“Chelsea men’s team player Callum Hudson-Odoi had a positive test result
for coronavirus returned this evening,” a club statement said.
“Chelsea personnel who had recent close contact with the player in the
men’s team building will now self-isolate in line with government health
guidelines.
“These will include initially the full men’s team squad, coaching staff and
a number of backroom staff.”
Chelsea said they would discuss their upcoming games, starting with
Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa, with Premier League officials on Friday.
Two Arsenal fixtures — Wednesday’s game at Manchester City, and away to
Brighton on Saturday — have already been cancelled because of the virus.
Hudson-Odoi displayed cold symptoms on Monday morning and has stayed away
from the club since then. His test result was returned on Thursday night.
The club said despite testing positive, the 19-year-old was “doing well and
looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is
possible”.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0836 hrs