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Coronavirus: Premier League confirm six positive tests

The Premier League confirmed Tuesday that there were six positive tests for the coronavirus from three clubs after tests were carried out on 748 players and staff.

On Monday, the league announced that clubs would be allowed to restart training in small groups within the next 24 hours, with no date set for league fixtures to restart.

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Watford announced late Tuesday that three people, including one player, tested positive for the virus and said all three would self-isolate for seven days, in line with league guidelines.

Burnley confirmed in a statement earlier that day that assistant manager Ian Woan tested positive. 

"Ian is asymptomatic and is currently safe and well at home," the club said.

Each Premier League club has submitted 40 staff -- players, coaches and medical staff -- for testing prior to the start of group training.

As part of the Premier League's strict protocol, no player can train without being tested, and any players or staff members who test positive must quarantine themselves for a period of seven days. Testing will be conducted twice a week at each club.

Professional football has been suspended in England since March 13 because of the coronavirus pandemic. League Two called a halt to its season last week, with League One expected to follow in the coming days.

Football returned in Germany over the weekend, with a full round of Bundesliga fixtures. That league had 10 positive tests on May 5. However, that was from 1,724 coronavirus tests after the clubs returned to training on April 6.

Premier League clubs remain unable to agree on a date to resume their season because of a range of disagreements, including on venues for games, safety issues and the prospect of relegation being decided by average points per game if a return date cannot be finalised by a 14-6 majority of the 20 clubs.

However, with hopes of playing games again beginning in mid-June, the Premier League confirmed that training in small groups would be allowed from Tuesday afternoon.

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