The Premier mobilizes to stop COVID cases

The Premier League has tightened the protocol against COVID-19 and has imposed daily antigen tests on footballers and club employees in addition to two weekly PCRs to control outbreaks.

This measure has been taken after the Premier announced 42 cases last week, which is the highest number since the pandemic began and football returned, and a total lack of control compared to the previous highest number of this campaign: 16 positive mid-August.

The increase in infections in the United Kingdom by the omicron variant, which has been breaking records since the summer, has also been transferred to the Premier League, which has seen Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City, Norwich City and Aston Villa announce several positives in recent days.

The most serious case has been that of Tottenham, who had to postpone their meetings against Rennes, in the Conference League, and Brighton, in the Premier, after there were eight players with COVID-19.

The second game in the league to be postponed was Brentford-Manchester United, following a small outbreak among players that has led to the closure of the first-team facilities for 24 hours.

In this way, the Premier once again requires two weekly PCR tests from players and employees, as was done last season, in addition to doing a daily antigen test. This campaign, the measurements had been relaxed and only two antigen tests were done a week, while PCRs were only done to confirm positive cases.

Measures regarding social distance, time indoors and use of the mask will also be toughened.

This, together with the third dose of the vaccine, which can already be received by those over 18 years of age in the United Kingdom, aims to stop the spread of the virus before the critical Christmas campaign.

As for the fans, in the Premier League stadiums, in accordance with the Government’s measures, they will have to show the vaccination passport or a negative test to gain access.

Wolves, first club with all vaccinated

The Wolverhampton Wanderers of the Mexican Raúl Jiménez is the first club in the Premier League to have all its players vaccinated against COVID-19, with the aim that the third doses are inoculated by the end of the month.

The English club has not reported any positive case in recent days, despite the increase in infections in the Premier League, which has announced 42 in the last week, and its coach, Bruno Lage, has indicated that the entire squad is vaccinated.

“We do not have any case of covid, everyone is healthy right now. We have followed the rules and in all the meetings we have been with a mask, but the most important decision is that everyone is vaccinated,” said the Portuguese coach.

The Premier recently revealed that 68% of players had received both vaccines in October. However, clubs will not be able to meet the UK Government’s goal of having the third dose before the end of the year because many players will not be able to meet the three-month waiting requirement between the second and third doses. .

The British Government has opened the door for everyone over 18 to receive the booster dose to stop the advance of the omicron variant in the country.