TESTSTUNNER ASSAINTSARE HIT BY VIRUS
FROM BACK PAGE statement from the game’s Joint Response Group it was later revealed that a total of seven positive tests had been returned by St Mirren over 24 hours – and that Saturday’s planned pre-season friendly against St Johnstone has been cancelled.
The club released a statement in response to our story confirming the outbreak is confined to members of St Mirren’s coaching staff.
But the shocking development has forced the Joint Response Group to double down on testing protocol ahead of the Premiership’s planned August 1 big kick-off.
A statement said: “The Joint Response Group has been notified that St Mirren Football Club has today returned seven positive tests for Covid-19.
“We immediately contacted the Scottish government and the office of the Clinical Director for Scotland to relay this information.
“As a consequence, St Mirren’s planned friendly match at home to St Johnstone, scheduled to take place on Saturday 25 July, has been cancelled.
As we revealed online, no players have gone down with the virus but strict safety measures have now been implemented to shut the club down while further testing takes place.
It’s believed the positive tests could be related to the recent outbreak at an NHS track and trace centre in Motherwell. But they were identified by a strict testing regime which has been rolled out across the Scottish top flight as clubs prepare for the big kick-off.
A St Mirren spokesman said: “We can confirm our testing regime has identified several members of our coaching staff have tested positive for Covid-19.
“We immediately contacted the health authorities, and the SPFL and the SFA have also been informed.
“Thus far no members of the playing staff have tested positive and we are taking all possible precautions to ensure there is no further spread.
“We will provide an update in due course.”
Meanwhile, Gary Holt has warned that Scottish football might just have to accept games being called off due to Covid-19 testing delays.
Hibs v Ross County was KO’d, with Rangers v Motherwell delayed, and Livi boss Holt said: “There are going to be bumps in the road. Just deal with it.
“It’s not ideal. But I don’t see it as anyone’s fault.
“If it happens, it happens. We’ll put the game back. We’ve all got to be a wee bit more flexible about it.
“And if it happens and the game gets called off, it happens.
“No fans are missing out, are they?”