Coventry City can confirm that Kyle McFadzean and Ben Wilson have received positive COVID-19 tests in the last 10 days.
Kyle received a positive test on Monday 25th January and will return to training on Thursday.
Ben received a positive test on Monday 1st February and is self-isolating in line with Government guidelines.
While it is impossible to be certain, we are reassured that neither player contracted Coronavirus while at Ryton.
No other players or staff have received positive tests. Since testing first began when the Sky Blues returned for pre-season in July, only three positive tests (including those confirmed today) have been received from all of the players and staff.
We have continued to do a voluntary PCR test of players and staff throughout the winter when it was not compulsory to do so, and since the introduction of the lateral flow tests we are now testing 3 times a week, including the PCR test.
One suggestion in the EFL protocol (albeit not compulsory) that we have put in place is to take two coaches to away games and for players to have separate rooms (as opposed to twin rooms) when we have an overnight stay for away games. Richard Overson has supported us in providing this second coach, and we thank him for that and his ongoing support for the Club.
We also regularly deep clean Ryton and have just purchased three machines for Ryton and the Alan Higgs Centre to have daily deep clean sprays.
The EFL via the Sports Grounds Safety Authority did an inspection of Clubs’ training facilities just before Christmas to see if Clubs were complying with their protocols and taking into consideration the configuration and age of Ryton, we were highly commended for what we are doing and the steps that we are taking.
All this comes at a big cost at a time when all football clubs have very little income. However it is essential that we continue to do the right things for everybody employed by the Football Club and we will continue to do everything within our capabilities to stop cases at the Club and ensure the safety of all employees.
Coventry City will continue to communicate regarding any positive cases as necessary and when it is appropriate to do so, while adhering to data protection and the privacy of individuals concerned.