Football: English Premier League records 36 new COVID-19 cases

The English Premier League says a total of 36 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in two rounds of tests conducted last week.

Since the new season kicked off, 207 individuals in the English top-flight have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in 21 rounds of testing.

The league, which is now conducting tests twice a week, did not name the people who tested positive, but said they will self-isolate for 10 days.

"Between Monday, January 4 and Thursday, January 7, 1,538 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. 

"Of these, there were 27 new positive tests," the league said in a statement.

"Between Friday, January 8 and Sunday, January 10, 1,055 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. 

"Of these, there were nine new positive tests."

Last week, Aston Villa's home game with Tottenham Hotspurs was postponed after the Midlands club asked the league to rearrange the game due to a number of players and staff either testing positive for COVID-19, or being placed in isolation.

The United Kingdom has recorded more than 3 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 81,000 deaths, as per a Reuters tally.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new national COVID-19 lockdown last week due to surging infections in the country caused by a new variant of the virus, but the Premier League will be allowed to continue. 

Reuters