Premier League confirms 16 new positive COVID-19 tests

The English Premier League hasn't yet had to postpone a match because of COVID-19 this season, but the top-flight nevertheless continues to encounter coronavirus-related issues this summer. 

On Monday, the league confirmed that it recorded 16 new positive COVID-19 tests from Aug. 16-22. To compare, 11 positive tests were tallied the previous week, up from nine the week before. 

The Premier League is not naming players or clubs in its weekly COVID-19 updates. However, Arsenal confirmed last week that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Alex Runarsson and Willian all tested positive for the virus. Chelsea and United States men's national team star Christian Pulisic missed Sunday's win over Arsenal after he tested positive. Per BBC Sport, Arsenal defender Ben White also missed that clash after testing positive. 

As the BBC noted Friday, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is among noteworthy Premier League personalities who have urged players to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Arsenal's Mikel Arteta said "most" of the club's first-team players "are double vaccinated or had one vaccine." 

Meanwhile, Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce said "two or three" of his players have gotten "really, really sick" because of the virus during the pandemic.