(Reuters) – La Liga side Valencia have said more than a third of their playing and backroom staff have tested positive for the coronavirus but that all cases were currently asymptomatic.
The club had reported five cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, with Argentina’s Ezequiel Garay and France’s Eliaquim Mangala both confirming they were among those who had contracted the virus.
“Several further tests for the COVID-19 coronavirus amongst Valencia coaching staff and players have come back positive,” the club said in a statement https://www.valenciacf.com/en/article/en-valencia-cf-official-statement-2020-03-16.
Valencia traveled to Milan last month for a Champions League match against Atalanta, which was played in front of a packed San Siro stadium, before restrictions were placed on sports events in Italy — the worst-hit country in Europe.
“Despite the strict measures adopted by the club after their Champions League game … these latest results show the exposure inherent to such matches has caused a positive test rate of around 35%,” Valencia added.
“All cases are asymptomatic and those involved are currently isolated at home, receiving medical assessment and carrying out their scheduled training plan.”
The flu-like virus has wiped out the international sporting calendar, with the big five soccer leagues in Europe — England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France — as well as the Champions League and Europa League all suspended.
The coronavirus has infected almost 180,000 people and killed over 7,000 worldwide.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
