Premier League reveals latest coronavirus test results

The unnamed individuals, who are believed to be connected to different top-flight clubs, must now isolate themselves for a period of seven days before being allowed to resume work.

The figure represents a drop in the number of positive results returned during the first round of testing, when six individuals including Watford defender Adrian Mariappa and Burnley’s assistant manager Ian Woan, were discovered to be carrying Covid-19.

Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder, whose side were seventh in the table when the season was suspended in March, confirmed last week that he would refuse to identify the individuals concerned if any member of his squad tested positive.

But, speaking before Friday’s testing procedure, the United manager indicated that Bramall Lane’s first team squad had all provided negatives samples ahead of Tuesday’s training session at the Steelphalt Academy - the first small-sided session to take place there since Government health advisors granted footballers permission to begin returning to work.

“The Premier League can today confirm that on Tuesday 19 May, Thursday 21 May and Friday 22 May, 996 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19,” the statement, released last night, read. “Of these, two have tested positive from two clubs.

"Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days.

"The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.

"No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the league and results will be made public after each round of testing."

An important message:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, please purchase a copy of our newspapers or subscribe to thestar.co.uk.

The coronavirus lockdown is having a major impact on many of our local advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive. That means we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers and subscribe to our website during this crisis.

Stay safe and take care. Thank you. James.