Winnall is struck by ‘invisible’ Covid-19
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY striker Sam Winnall is thought to have become the first footballer with one of Yorkshire’s league clubs to have tested positive for coronavirus – although the fact he only took a test “out of curiosity” having displayed no symptoms suggests he might not be the first to have contracted it.
The 29-year-old former Barnsley striker claimed on Instagram he had tested positive for Covid-19.
“I know most of you will be sick of hearing this but I urge everyone who reads this to stay at home,” he said.
“I had no symptoms, no problems and no indications I had the virus. But after doing a test out of curiosity, I tested positive for covid-19.
“This virus is invisible, anyone can have it. Thankfully, I am fine and not suffering. But that isn’t the case for everybody.”
Although a shortage of Government-approved tests has been a topic of controversy during the pandemic, mailorder home-testing kits are available privately. Public Health England advises the public to avoid “rapid, at-home coronavirus tests” because there is “little information” on their accuracy or “suitability for diagnosing covid-19 infection in a community setting”.
The Owls began training at home three days before the Government introduced its lockdown on March 23 to try to contain the spread of the virus. No other players or coaches are thought to have reported symptoms.
Conference side Harrogate Town had two players selfisolating last month when they postponed their trip to Solihull Moors, but they are not thought to have been tested. The game was due to be played hours after the Premier League and Football League suspended all matches, but the National League decided to carry on.
Centre-forward Winnall is out of contract at the end of the season and has not featured since the January transfer window closed. Since joining from Barnsley in January 2017, Winnall has made 18 league starts for the Owls, plus as many appearances from the bench, scoring five goals.