In a procedure that was discussed on Friday with the medical director of the Institute for Sports and Preventive Medicine at Saarland University, Prof Tim Meyer and Prof Barbara Gartner, a microbiologist and infection epidemiologist, it was stated that the body would always ensure adequate consultation with medical experts to make sure players are not at risk of getting the infection while practicing their profession.
Following a Thursday test on playing staff, backroom staff and coaches, FC Cologne, a German football club, has announced that three of their players have tested positive for Covis-19 stating that the three of them are symptom free.
Maintaining that their staff privacy is a priority, the club did not disclose names of the infected players, but said the three players would go into quarantine for 14 days.
“FC Koln had the entire team and coaching staff, along with the backroom staff, tested on Thursday for Covid-19. Three people tested positive, all are symptom free,” said the club in a statement.
“After an assessment of the cases by the responsible health authorities, the three people who tested positive will go into 14-day quarantine at home. FC Köln will not confirm any names out of respect for the privacy of those affected,” the club added.
The club, against the background of the three positive tests said the group training and preventive measures that have been in place since April 6 would continue.
“FC Köln’s training can continue as planned, according to the hygiene and infection control measures that have been in place since 6 April in group training,” the club said.
“The prerequisite for this is that the relevant group of people are tested further, as stated for in the medical concept of the ‘Taskforce Sports Medicine/Special Game Operation’ from the DFL,” added the club,” added the club.
In a procedure that was discussed on Friday with the medical director of the Institute for Sports and Preventive Medicine at Saarland University, Prof Tim Meyer and Prof Barbara Gartner, a microbiologist and infection epidemiologist, it was stated that the body would always ensure adequate consultation with medical experts to make sure players are not at risk of getting the infection while practicing their profession.
“We will always be in close contact with the responsible health authorities and medical experts. We are convinced that with our concept, we can enable players to practice their profession with the best possible protection against infection,” said Prof Tim Meyer.
Speaking about how crucial it is to protect Cologne’s staff’s privacy and taking every preventive measure as a priority, Horst Heldt, the club’s manager said, “The health and private sphere of players and staff have priority above all else. The previous measures, as well as the strategy of regular tests, have proven themselves so that we can now react with individual solutions.”
