Oxford United can confirm that two people tested positive during the latest round of Covid-19 tests.
All first team players and staff had previously tested negative in two earlier tests but Thursday’s tests came back with two positive results and the those involved will now be off site and asked to self-isolate for 10 days as a precaution.
Neither had symptoms and can exercise independently within the current guidelines while they are away from the club. The medical team will be in contact with them on a day-to-day basis and all players will still be completing their daily medical questionnaire and temperature checks, with regular testing continuing.
The club has notified the necessary medical channels and the EFL and all measures have been taken internally to ensure that the highest levels of safety and hygiene are maintained throughout the club.
Karl Robinson told us:
“ I am sure the fans will appreciate the honesty from us over this. We have said all along that we have to take the rough with the smooth but I hope in some way we can turn a negative into a positive. You can be anyone, anywhere and catch this terrible virus. We want fans to read this and just stick to all the available guidelines and advice because it can honestly happen to anyone.
“Thankfully they don’t have symptoms and as soon as we heard we went through all the data available from training- we can see who was where and whether there was any contact. We have supplied that data to our opponents, and the league, ahead of a friendly tomorrow and that should still go ahead. We have thoroughly reviewed everything we have been doing this week and are satisfied that everything has been done with player and staff welfare as a priority.
“We have learned to be flexible and we will adapt once again but the message to all the fans is to respect the guidelines that we are all living by right now, and most importantly, stay safe.”