#CoronavirusOutbreak: Valencia claim 35% of squad, staff tested positive
Spanish club Valencia have claimed about 35% of their squad and staff have tested positive for coronavirus. However, all the cases were asymptomatic. Five Valencia players and staff, who tested positive, are in good health as per the club. Ezequiel Garay became the first La Liga player to test positive. Here are all the major updates regarding Valencia.
Valencia CF inform that five positive cases have been detected
Post Garay's result, Valencia centre-back Eliaquim Mangala also said he had tested positive and was self isolating. The club issued a statement saying, "Valencia CF inform that five positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have been detected amongst first team staff and players. All of these persons are now at home, in good health and obeying self-isolation measures."
Valencia emphasize on illness-prevention measures
Valencia further highlighted the importance of staying at home and illness-prevention measures. "Besides providing further information over the coming hours, the club reiterate our support for the health authorities and their social awareness campaigns, and emphasize to all of the population the importance of staying at home and continuing to follow the previously published hygiene and illness-prevention measures."
Valencia's UCL game against Atalanta a reason behind the impact
Valencia had faced Atalanta in Milan during a UEFA Champions League encounter, before sporting events in Italy were suspended. "Despite the strict measures adopted by the club after their Champions League game ... these latest results show the exposure inherent to such matches has caused a positive test rate of around 35%." The club added all those involved are receiving medical assessment.
How did Garay and Mangala react?
"It is clear I have started 2020 with bad luck. I am very well and must obey health authorities and stay isolated," wrote Garay on Instagram. Meanwhile, Mangala wrote, "I knew today that I am coronavirus positive. At the moment, I'm feeling good and I have no symptoms associated with the virus. However, I am confined in house and have no contact with family."
All major football leagues suspended as coronavirus wrecks havoc
All major leagues in Europe have been postponed for now alongside European and Cup competitions. Meanwhile, the virus has infected more than 180,000 people around the globe, besides taking the lives of over 7,000.
