Valencia cite Atalanta game as 35% of squad contract Covid-19

Spanish club, Valencia have confirmed that not less than 35 percent of their squad, including players and staff, have tested positive to coronavirus.

The La Liga giants have also pointed to their Champions League game at Italian side Atalanta on February 19, 2020 as the possible point of contraction of the virus.

Ezequiel Garay and Eliaquim Mangala had on Sunday announced they tested positive.

“Several further tests for the COVID-19 coronavirus amongst Valencia CF coaching staff and players have come back positive,” Valencia announced in a statement released on Monday.

“All cases are asymptomatic and those involved are currently isolated at home, receiving medical assessment and carrying out their scheduled training plan.

Read Also: UEFA postpones Euro 2020 until 2021 over coronavirus

“Despite the strict measures adopted by the club after their UEFA Champions League game against Atalanta on February 19th in Milan – an area confirmed as ‘high risk’ by the Italian authorities days afterwards – ,which included maintaining a distance between the squad and club employees/the general public, these latest results show that the exposure inherent to such matches has caused a positive test rate of around 35%.

“Valencia CF would like to take this opportunity to insist that the population stay in their homes and strictly follow previously published hygiene and infection prevention measures.

“We also wish to express our confidence in our healthcare system and the recommendations by the Ministry of Health for those cases of coronavirus infection being treated with isolation.”

Meanwhile, Atalanta, who played the return leg at Valencia last week, said their players and staff are self-isolating after they played Valencia at the Mestalla in the Champions League last Tuesday.

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