Covid-19 hits Munster

NEWS: PRO14 side Munster have issued a medical update after one of their academy players tested positive for coronavirus.

The Irish province have been counting down towards their 2019/20 season restart versus Leinster in Dublin on August 22.

However, Munster claim that the positive case won’t hugely affect their preparations for what will be their first match since a February 29 PRO14 win over Scarlets in Limerick.

The Munster statement read: “Munster have been assisting an academy player within the wider training squad who has tested positive for Covid-19. As a precautionary measure, the squad and academy did not train today at the HPC and Thomond Park.

“The individual immediately self-isolated on development of symptoms on Sunday. The HSE have been contacted and the contact tracing process has commenced.

“In taking all precautions, Munster have immediately identified five academy players and one senior player as potential close contacts from social and household settings and the six players have already commenced self-isolating. The province will await further guidance from the HSE in this regard.

“The senior squad will return to the HPC on Monday to complete the third phase of the IRFU’s routine PCR testing and resume preparations for the PRO14 encounter against Leinster. Test results will be released publicly in line with the process for phase one and two of these routine tests.”

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Speaking about the situation, Munster head of medical Dr Jamie Kearns added: “The health and safety of our players and staff is the priority and that is why we are taking all precautions, going above and beyond, ensuring the safe resumption of training and rugby next week.

“The player involved has not been in the high-performance centre this week and the HSE have confirmed that the training group are not considered as close contacts. The individual is continuing to be monitored medically and remains well.

“There are protocols and policies in place that everyone has been following, and we will continue to be vigilant in all our efforts as we move closer to the return of rugby on Saturday week.”