Chelsea star becomes first Premier League player to get Coronavirus

The Premier League has been hit with a wave of the Coronavirus as Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi becomes the first player to have tested positive for the virus.


The England international was tested after showing symptoms of the common cold and the club has confirmed that the academy graduate has contacted the virus. Hudson-Odoi becomes the second high-profile Premier League figure to have the virus after Arsenal manager Mikel Arterta tested positive to the virus on Thursday,





The official statement from Chelsea reads thus: “Chelsea men’s team player Callum Hudson-Odoi had a positive test result for Coronavirus returned this evening, Chelsea personnel who had recent close contact with the player in the men’s team building will now self-isolate in line with Government health guidelines.”




“These will include initially the full men’s team squad, coaching staff and a number of backroom staff. It is expected that those who did not have close contact with Callum will return to work in the coming days,” the statement continued.




The club also disclosed that some parts of the training center would be closed due to the virus. “In the meantime, the men’s team building, one of several separate buildings at our training ground, will remain closed. The rest of our training facility, Stamford Bridge and our other facilities are operating as normal.”




"Callum displayed symptoms similar to a mild cold on Monday morning and has not been at the training ground since then as a precaution. However, his test came in positive this evening and he will undergo a period of self-isolation. Despite testing positive for the virus, Callum is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible.




"We will continue to adhere to Government and Public Health Guidelines with regard to our facilities and staff and will be discussing next steps with regards to upcoming fixtures with the Premier League on Friday morning. We will provide further updates as necessary via the club’s website.”




With this latest development, it is likely that the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Aston Villa set to take place on Saturday would be postponed.