Los Angeles (AFP)
Five players and three Philadelphia Phillies staff, currently training at their Florida training center, have tested positive for coronavirus in recent days, the baseball franchise (MLB) announced Friday.
"Five players and three staff members, working at the club's facilities in Clearwater (near Tampa Bay, editor's note), tested positive for Covid-19. The first reported case was on Tuesday June 16," the statement said. club, without specifying their identity.
None of the cases have been hospitalized or yet experience the negative effects of the virus, reports NBC, citing sources from the Phillies.
The franchise also states that 8 staff members have tested negative and that 12 other staff members and 20 players are still awaiting the results of their tests.
"All Clearwater facilities have been closed and will remain closed until medical officials are satisfied that the virus is under control and the site has been disinfected," said Phillies owner John Middleton.
This epidemic occurs in the midst of a resurgence of cases observed in recent days in Florida, where the NBA and MLS (football) must resume their competitions in July.
The MLB, it is currently entangled in a wage dispute with the players' union, which makes it very uncertain the start of its hoped-for season in late July.
As such, the Phillies declined to comment on the impact that the epidemic, which is likely to grow, could have on their participation in the championship, saying "it is too early to know."
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