Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday (December 2) confirmed that a total of 8 Pakistan cricket team members out of the 54-member touring party have tested positive for COVID-19 following the latest testing results on day 6 of the tourists in managed isolation in Christchurch.
Pakistan team arrived in New Zealand on November 24 to play a bilateral series comprising three T20Is and 2 Tests later this month and began its compulsory 14-day stay in managed isolation.
A few days later, a total of six touring members tested positive with two of them turned out to be historical cases and they were allowed back to the team floor in isolation while the remaining four joined the other infected teammates on a separate floor in quarantine.
In an official release, PCB and the New Zealand health officials both have stated that swabs were taken on Day 6 on Tuesday from the 46 members of Pakistan’s touring squad in Christchurch, and of those, 42 have subsequently returned negative for COVID-19.
PCB stated in an official release, “Out of 54, a total of eight Pakistan cricket team members have tested positive following day 1, 3, and 6 tests. After day 9 (Thursday) tests, all those who will continue to return negative tests and subject to final approval from the New Zealand Health Ministry are expected to be able to train for the remainder of their time in the managed isolation.”
The release added, “Following Day 12 tests and subject to New Zealand Health Ministry’s final approval, all those who will clear the 14-day health check will be able to leave the managed isolation facility.”
Noteworthy, Pakistan is not allowed to train until the Canterbury DHB medical officer of health determines they are satisfied that any training activities are unlikely to transmit COVID-19.
(With PCB Inputs)
