Lions 'isolate' COVID-19 cases
REACTION: It is business as usual at Ellis Park, despite four positive cases for COVID-19 at the Lions.
Weekend media reports revealed that four members of the union had tested positive.
Lions team doctor Rob Collins confirmed that one player and a member of the management staff tested positive.
It is also confirmed that a couple of staff members tested positive.
“None of the few people who have thus far tested positive for COVID-19 is acutely ill,” Collins said in a statement to @rugby365com.
“They are either asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms.”
Collins added that the Lions Rugby Company has an “extensive and thorough” COVID operational plan, which has been reviewed and approved by SA Rugby and government.
“This Operational plan includes, inter alia, a screening questionnaire before entering the premises, temperature checks before entering, social distancing, continuous wearing of masks, sanitization of hands and surfaces and all equipment used frequently.”
He confirmed that routine SARS-CoV-2 PCR screening tests were performed on the entire team and team management as required by the government prior to “return to training”.
“These tests were all negative – apart from one member of team management and one player,” Collins said.
“Both have been isolated and received appropriate medical treatment.
“Their contacts have also been traced and quarantined and are being followed up.”
He said the screening of all personnel entering the premises has, as expected, resulted in a number of further tests being done when medically indicated.
“Any person tested is quarantined until their result is available, then isolated should the test return a positive result.
“Any patient testing positive receives appropriate medical treatment.
“All contacts of any member of personnel who has tested positive are contacted, quarantined and monitored for the duration of their quarantine.”
He might still be packing up his life in England, but @dreyer_ruan sent us a quick message about re-joining his #LionsFamily ❤ pic.twitter.com/aEIgp83C1h
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) July 9, 2020
Meanwhile, reports are suggesting that the Lions are close to signing former Stormers utility back EW Viljoen.
Viljoen, 25, joined Leicester Tigers at the start of the 2019-2020 season.
However, his time has been cut short by the COVID-19 lockdown.
He was linked to a move to the Bulls, but more recent reports have him joining up with the Lions at Ellis Park.
There is no official confirmation of the move.
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