One Premier League player or staff member positive for coronavirus after latest tests

Seventeen positive results have been recorded since the Premier League began testing as part of Project Restart – just 0.16% of the total number of tests carried out

Just one positive result has emerged from the latest round of coronavirus testing ahead of the full return of the Premier League this weekend, taking the total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 to 17.

The Premier League returned on Wednesday night in the form of Aston Villa and Sheffield United’s 0-0 draw, with Manchester City recording a 3-0 victory over Arsenal in the day’s late kick-off.

With the two outstanding games completed, the premier League can focus on the remaining nine rounds of action to complete the 2019/20 season, which begins with two games scheduled on Friday as Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United and Norwich City host Southampton - albeit in the new coronavirus safety conditions with no fans in attendance.

The latest round of coronavirus testing saw more than 1,500 tests carried out, meaning that a total of 10,228 tests have been completed as part of the Premier League’s Project Restart.

With only one test coming back positive for Covid-19 from the ninth round of testing, the total number of 17 confirmed cases represents just 0.16 per cent of the overall number, suggesting that the clubs’ coronavirus safety protocols are having a positive impact in preventing the spread of the virus as the sport resumes.

A Premier League statement confirmed on Thursday: “The Premier League can today confirm that on Monday 15 June and Tuesday 16 June, 1,541 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19. Of these, one person has tested positive.

“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency. No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing.”

The Premier League plans to continue testing twice a week throughout the return to play, with 10 games scheduled this weekend through to Monday night as the sport gets back up and running.