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Large number of players, staff of KHL team test positive for COVID-19

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TJ Tucker
July 21, 2020  (8:59)
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Things are not going too well for the KHL in its plan to return to action as it usually does in August. Just last week, it had been announced that 13 members of of Spartak Moscow tested positive for COVID-19. On Tuesday, Avangard Omsk issued a statement saying 20 players and team staff had also tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

”Since the start of the training camp our team was regularly tested. After these tests yesterday we were made aware that a large group of our players and staff have tested positive," said Avangard GM Alexei Volkov. "Everyone has been isolated, however, most of them are asymptomatic. Everyone's condition is being monitored by medical services. Those that have tested negative will have to undergo more testing.”

Because of the positive tests, the team has made the decision to cancel a planned trip to Sochi for the "Sochi Hockey Open", where they would have played exhibition games from August 4th to the 9th.

”We are deeply sorry that due to the epidemical situation we had to make this hard decision," said Volkov. "We consulted with the coaching staff and we decided to keep our team under a strict isolation regime in Balashika with strict medical overseeing and regular testing. The safety of our players and successful preparation are our main targets at this time," added Volkov.

By comparison, the NHL has announced that just two players out of the entire league have tested positive for COVID-19 is its latest round of testing.

Translation: Alexey Volkov, General Manager of HC Avangard: "From the very beginning of the training camp, our team regularly passed tests for coronavirus. The day before, such testing revealed a positive result in a large group of players and service personnel."

"So far, 20 people have passed the positive test. All of them are isolated, most of them do not have pronounced symptoms."