FOREST CHIEF: I’VE GOT VIRUS
Club owner with virus was at game
THE Greek owner of Nottingham Forest has sparked panic among fans after revealing he is battling killer coronavirus.
Evangelos Marinakis, 52, was in the 27,000-strong crowd during his club’s home clash against Millwall on Friday, igniting fears he could have infected players, the manager and supporters.
The multi-millionaire, who also owns Greek club Olympiakos, posed for pictures with fans and shook hands with the team. He was also at the Greek side’s clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium less than two weeks ago.
Mr Marinakis said: “The recent virus has ‘visited’ me and I felt obliged to let the public know.
“I feel good as I take all the necessary measures and I discipline to the doctor’s instructions.”
Millwall revealed “senior club representatives who came into contact with Mr Marinakis have begun a period of self-isolation”.
Confirmed UK cases jumped by 54 yesterday – bringing the total to 373.
The sixth UK death was revealed as a man in his 80s who died at Watford General Hospital, Herts.
A top Liverpool cancer surgeon is also feared to have infected hundreds of vulnerable patients.
He contracted the disease after a trip to Italy. The doctor, who works at Aintree University Hospital, did not selfisolate and returned to work last week.
Great Ormond Street children’s hospital in London has delayed non-essential operations after a health worker in the cardiology department tested positive for Covid-19.
England’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries warned “many thousands of people” would contract the bug.
A drive-through test site has opened in Wolverhampton allowing the public to check if they have the disease.
The facility, in a city council-owned car park, allows people with an NHS 111 referral to be swabbed for the virus.
Transport for London has also ramped up cleaning at stations and on trains and buses in a bid to curb the spread.