Sheffield United confirm ‘a number of positive coronavirus tests’ to continue Premier League’s Covid-crisis

Tuesday evening’s match against Burnley will go ahead as planned despite the number of positive coronavirus cases dramatically rising across the Premier League this month

Sheffield United have recorded ‘a number of positive coronavirus tests’ ahead of their game with Burnley (Reuters)

Sheffield United have recorded “a number of positive coronavirus tests” as the Premier League’s Covid-crisis continues to unfold over the festive period.

A club statement announced that this week’s testing had resulted in several positive tests emerging among personnel, though they did not confirm whether the positives were among Chris Wilder’s playing squad or staff.

The news came just hours before the Blades were due to take on Burnley on Tuesday evening, but Sheffield United confirmed that the match, which kicks off at Turf Moor at 6pm, is set to go ahead as planned.

The statement read: “Sheffield United can confirm the club recorded a number of positive coronavirus tests after the latest round of testing.

“Due to medical confidentiality the club will not be revealing the names of those who have been affected.

READ MORE: Premier League records highest number of Covid positives

“The individuals who have tested positive have now entered into a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and government guidelines.”

The announcement follows the Premier League’s record number of positive coronavirus tests, which saw 18 recorded last week across the 20 clubs - the most since testing began earlier this year. It also comes after the UK posted its highest daily increase in coronavirus cases after 41,385 new Covid cases and 357 deaths were recorded on Monday.

On the same day, the Premier League were forced to postpone Manchester City’s trip to Everton after the former recorded several more positive test results, following the four recorded on Christmas Day. City submitted a request to the Premier League Board on Monday for the trip to Goodison Park to be called off due to the additional positives, with a decision made just hours before kick-off.

In contrast, despite posting several positive results, Sheffield United did not submit a request for their clash with Burnley to be postponed.

Neither the test results taken from Manchester City on Monday, nor those recorded this week at Sheffield United, are factored into the 18 tests recorded by the Premier League over the period of 21-27 December, and they will be included among the next tally when published.

Sheffield United’s statement added: “Earlier today, the Premier League confirmed 18 positive coronavirus tests - the highest figure of the season so far.

“Everyone at Sheffield United would like to extend our best wishes to our colleagues and wish them a speedy recovery.”

The 18 positives from 1,479 overall tests in the week over Christmas included four positive results among Manchester City’s playing squad and staff, which included striker Gabriel Jesis and defender Kyle Walker.

It is the highest number recorded over a single round since the Premier League first began testing under ‘Project Restart’ in June, with the previous highest of 16 coming between 9 and 15 November - a result produced from 1,207 tests - and represents an increase of 11 from figures the week before.

The Premier League does not reveal the identities of players or clubs on privacy grounds, although Arsenal confirmed on Monday that defender Gabriel Magalhaes has also tested positive for coronavirus and, like Jesus and Walker, is currently self-isolating in accordance with UK guidelines.

The City squad and staff underwent additional Covid testing on Tuesday in an effort to get the outbreak under control, with a decision yet to be taken over Sunday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea. The club have also closed their training ground for deep cleaning, with the results due on Wednesday.

Southampton also announced on Tuesday that their manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl, will not be in the dug-out for the visit of West Ham as a member of his household tested positive for coronavirus.