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First round of Women's Super League and Championship coronavirus testing returns one positive

Sophie McLean of Tottenham Hotspur Ladies and Helen Ward of Watford Ladies during Women's Super League 2 - Getty Images
Sophie McLean of Tottenham Hotspur Ladies and Helen Ward of Watford Ladies during Women's Super League 2 - Getty Images
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The Women’s Super League and Championship have returned one positive coronavirus test from the 802 conducted in its first batch of testing as clubs begin their returns to training.

Between 2nd July 2020 and 11th July 2020 inclusive, 802 Covid-19 tests were carried out across the Barclays Women’s Super League and the Women’s Championship. The Football Association will release the results across both divisions  each week but will not disclose details relating to clubs, players or staff.

For the last week, WSL clubs have been returning to training under new coronavirus protocols that include twice-weekly testing and spot-checks from the FA to check clubs are Covid-compliant. All WSL clubs will have returned to training by the end of this week.

The new WSL season is currently set to commence on September 5 after it was cancelled earlier this year, with Chelsea awarded the title ahead of Manchester City on a points per game basis.

The FA is following the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) guidance, with a three-stage return plan that mirrors the one deployed in the men’s game.

Phase one allows players to train in groups of up to five, without contact and while following social distancing guidance. Advised to take steps to minimise the spread of the virus, players change and shower at home and one club has replaced its meals with food handed out to players in their cars as they set off home. Temperatures are checked upon arrival, with one club spending two hours a day preparing the training base for sessions. Players are able to use the gym, but only if equipment is cleaned afterwards and they maintain social distancing.

Clubs must remain in stage one for a week before moving into stage two. Phase two permits close-contact training - defined as interaction within the one-metre social distancing boundary - with tackling and equipment sharing. Clubs can decide when they are ready to move to stage three, which allows for 11 v 11 matches.

The Premier League’s batch of coronavirus tests ahead of the first phase of their return to training yielded six positive results from 748 coronavirus tests.