Player in Newcastle Jets Academy tests positive for COVID-19
The A-League club has confirmed a junior player tested positive for COVID-19, prompting multiple teams to isolate and the closure a school.
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A teenage boy who is part of the Newcastle Jets Academy squad has tested positive for COVID-19, the club confirmed on Thursday.
The Under 15’s player tested positive after travelling to Sydney for a match against the Stanmore Hawks at Arlington Oval in Dulwich Hill on August 1.
The player’s close contacts, including fellow teammates, coaches and opposition, have been notified
“At this stage, all Academy training has been cancelled for the remainder of the week and this weekend’s game will be reviewed pending advice from Public Health and Football NSW,” the club said in a statement.
“The decision to cancel training was made by the club, taken as a precaution to our players and staff while contract tracing is undertaken.”
Close contacts must now self-isolate for 14 days.
The club said the player did not attend Academy training while infectious.
“Since we were made aware of the positive case, Public Health has been nothing short of amazing in dealing with this and we want to thank them for their work,” Newcastle Jets CEO, Lawrie McKinna, said.
“Our Academy sides have been following guidelines from the NSW Government and Football NSW around playing games in Sydney, and we haven't put any pressure on our players to travel to Sydney if they did not wish.
“The most important person in this situation is our young player with the virus, and we wish him all the best.”
The club urged there are no concerns that its A-League team has been exposed, given the competition’s strict biosecurity regulations.
“Our Wellington Phoenix has not been impacted,” Newcastle Jets said.
The player is a student at St Pius X High School in Newcastle which has now closed for cleaning.
NSW Health said the teenager caught the Number 26 school bus (Hamilton to Adamstown) to school on August 3, at 8.20am.
“All people on the bus at this time will be required to isolate for 14 days and seek testing,” the department said.
Meanwhile, contact tracing is underway at a primary school in Sydney’s west after a person attended while potentially infectious with COVID-19.
St Margaret Mary’s Primary School, Merrylands, is now closed for deep cleaning and staff and students have been ordered to self-isolate until further notice.
The Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta released a statement which said it is working with the health department.
“This news has been shared with the school community today,” the organisation said.
“Health and safety are our priority as we continue to respond to COVID-19 together. We will continue to keep the community updated.”
The news comes just days after Greenway Public School and Bonnyrigg High School – both in Sydney – had to close for deep cleaning and contact tracing after two students tested positive for COVID-19.
The Kids Learning Academy daycare centre, Busby, in Sydney’s south west, also closed for deep cleaning yesterday after a COVID-positive person attended on July 29.
Originally published as Player in Newcastle Jets Academy tests positive for COVID-19