Six individuals across three clubs in the Premier League have contracted COVID-19. Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images

Premier League confirms six positive coronavirus tests

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/19/20

On Tuesday, the English Premier League confirmed that six individuals across three of its 20 clubs tested positive for the coronavirus.

Per Sky Sports and ESPN, a total of 748 footballers and staff were tested during this phase of the process. The country's top-flight allowed players to resume limited group training under strict guidelines on Monday.

Those who tested positive have been instructed to self-isolate for at least seven days. They are not permitted to attend any club facilities until they complete isolation.

Starting Tuesday, healthy players can train in small groups as long as they practice social-distancing protocols. Those participating in training sessions, including players and staff, are set to be tested twice per week.

The testing doing what it is supposed to do. 6 positives in 748, those 6 came from 3 clubs. All pretty encouraging news.
Prem confirm six positive coronavirus tests https://t.co/rRQI0mRfDu
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) May 19, 2020

Despite any notions that early testing seems to have worked, as hoped, the Premier League remains no closer to restarting a campaign halted on March 13 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, Paul MacInnes and David Hytner of The Guardian suggested a resumption date of June 12 was "less likely" than before, in part because of player concerns regarding the virus.

The German Bundesliga kicked off the final portion of its 2019-20 season over the weekend.

While uncrowned champions Liverpool will likely receive some sort of trophy celebration regardless of how the campaign finishes, plenty remains to be decided over the domestic calendar's final nine or 10 matchdays. Chelsea, Manchester United, Wolverhampton, Sheffield United, Tottenham and Arsenal are all still in the hunt for next season's European competitions.

Meanwhile, six clubs will be part of a relegation battle assuming the season is played out, in full.

As Avi Creditor of Sports Illustrated wrote, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently hit out at those who suggested the Premier League season should be voided with no champion named and no promotion/relegation decided because of the virus outbreak.

The Dutch Eredivisie voided its season and suspended relegation earlier this spring.

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