Galabank chairman Philip Jones told DNG Media the club have put training on hold and cancelled a behind closed doors pre-season friendly with Queen of the South tonight (Monday).
Mr Jones stated the infected players had been training at Galabank last Tuesday night but the following day one player fell ill and was sent home from his work.
He said: “Players were training here last Tuesday and they had their temperatures checked and were okay. One player who didn’t train but came down to see the physio was also checked and passed the temperature test.
“On Wednesday that player fell ill and got sent home from his work and was tested on Thursday. He then got a positive result back on Friday. The physio is self isolating but has no symptoms.”
After hearing of the player’s positive test, Mr Jones subsequently advised the squad and the football authorities. After more tests three others were confirmed to have the virus.
Mr Jones said: “Three other boys have tested positive, one has got symptoms but the other two haven’t. They got their test results on Sunday and they are positive. Some of the other boys have had tests but haven’t had any other positive results.
“It turns out the players have been in the same car on the Tuesday. Three of them trained before they knew anything. All the non-contact temperature checks and questionnaires all came back negative on the Thursday.”
Training has been cancelled along with a friendly encounter with Queen of the South.
“We informed Queens on Saturday and cancelled the game to protect our and their players,” Mr Jones said. “The boys are not back training yet but we are taking a view to train on Thursday but we haven’t decided anything yet. We have to wait to see if any of our other players have symptoms.
“This is a very sobering reminder that it can develop so quickly. We’re trying to do the right thing and stopping everything until we know it’s safe.”
The news comes after Annan’s Betfred Cup opponents Hamilton Academical – who are due to play each other on October 6 – announced three of their employees tested positive for coronavirus. They will now be absent from the club for ten days as they self-isolate.
