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Callum Hudson-Odoi posts video to update Chelsea fans on his condition after contracting coronavirus

Hudson-Odoi is the first Premier League player to contract coronavirus and came hours after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed he had contracted the virus

Jack de Menezes
Friday 13 March 2020 10:24 GMT
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Callum Hudson-Odoi updates Chelsea fans after contracting coronavirus

Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi says he has already recovered from coronavirus after testing positive earlier in the week.

Chelsea have gone into lockdown following the 19-year-old’s positive test, with all players put into self-isolation along with the men’s first-team coaching staff.

The club confirmed in the early hours of Friday morning that Hudson-Odoi had first shown symptoms of the virus on Monday, and had been placed in self-isolation immediately pending the results of a medical test, which returned positive.

But the England international posted a video on his Twitter account to reassure fans that he was ok and revealed he has already recovered from the effects of coronavirus.

“Hi guys, as you may be aware I had the virus for the last couple of days, which I’ve recovered from,” he said.

“I’m following the health guidelines and self-isolating myself from everybody for the week. I hope to see everybody soon and hope to be back on the pitch very soon.”

The confirmed case is certain to result in Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Saturday being called off, although all 20 clubs are meeting on Friday morning via video conference and are expected to postpone this weekend’s programme entirely at the very least.

Chelsea have also confirmed that their men’s team building has been shut, with the Cobham training base undergoing a deep clean on Thursday, but the rest of the complex and Stamford Bridge remain open and those club personnel who have not interacted with Hudson-Odoi recently are still expected to report for work over the next few days.

A Chelsea statement read: “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.

“It is expected that those who did not have close contact with Callum will return to work in the coming days. In the meantime, the men’s team building, one of several separate buildings at our training ground, will remain closed. The rest of our training facility, Stamford Bridge and our other facilities are operating as normal.

“Callum displayed symptoms similar to a mild cold on Monday morning and has not been at the training ground since then as a precaution. However, his test came in positive this evening and he will undergo a period of self-isolation. Despite testing positive for the virus, Callum is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible.

“We will continue to adhere to Government and Public Health Guidelines with regard to our facilities and staff and will be discussing next steps with regards to upcoming fixtures with the Premier League on Friday morning. We will provide further updates as necessary via the club’s website.:

We wish Callum a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the club soon.”

Hudson-Odoi's positive test came hours after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed he was suffering from coronavirus, although the Chelsea forward is understood to be the first Premier League player to have the virus confirmed. Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers said that three of their players are showing symptoms of the illness, while Everton issued a statement on Friday to say that one of their players has shown symptoms, resulting in the entire squad going into self-isolation.

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