Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed that five of their personnel tested positive for Covid-19.
However, the five individuals have since recovered and returned to the team’s camp after 14-days in self-isolation.
The Brazilians have been in camp for more than two weeks now as they prepare for the resumption of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Sundowns Covid-19 committee member Dr Carl Tabane told the club’s official website: ‘We have to look after ourselves now that the virus has come closer to home – we have to sanitise, wash our hands, we have to wear a mask, social distance, eat well, look after our bodies, respect the virus and we need to stay home, as everyone has said the virus does not move itself we move the virus.’
Sundowns released the following statement:
‘Mamelodi Sundowns welcomed back five personnel [staff and players] who have fully recovered from Covid-19, having spent 14 days in isolation.
‘Following the PSL’s green light for clubs to train, Mamelodi Sundowns players, technical team and support staff went for their second Covid-19 test whilst the training grounds were fumigated and prepared for the team; the training programme was also revised in accordance with the new protocols.
‘Before the team could resume training in Rustenburg, a third test was conducted, and five cases of asymptomatic nature were detected and the five immediately self-isolated for fourteen days.
‘Amongst the five, players that who tested positive, had to undergo further medical tests, cardiology [ECG, heart sonar] and pulmonology [lung scans] which also revealed that there was no cause for concern to their cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
‘With this good news, the five personnel have joined the rest of the team from Tuesday the 21st of July.
‘The medical team has cleared the players for training and the spirit in the camp remains high as everyone is working hard in preparation for the remainder of the current league.
‘Mamelodi Sundowns’ Covid-19 Committee, led by Doctors Carl Tabane and Paul Maphoto, continues to follow the protocol guidelines from the PSL and cultivating a culture of social distancing and practicing good hygiene which includes the continuous sanitising and washing of hands amongst all personnel.
‘With the new protocols, the backroom staff have adjusted to the new regulations, as a result they get to training earlier and leave later than normal as they have to sanitise all the equipment used for training.’
