One of the cases is suspected as being the new Omicron variant
CARDIFF Rugby are struggling to get back to Wales from South Africa following two positive Covid tests in their squad.
Through their Twitter account on Sunday, they confirmed: “Cardiff Rugby have been unable to depart South Africa following two positive cases of Covid-19, one of which is suspected to be the new variant Omicron.”
Gafyn Cooper, Cardiff rugby operations manager, said yesterday: “We’re all self-isolating in the team hotel, practising a hard quarantine.
“However, we’ve undertaken a round of PCR testing last night and our results have come back negative, so that’s very encouraging for the next stage.
“The policy here is to remove the players who tested positive from the team hotel and environment. They have been taken to a specialist quarantine hotel here in Cape Town and they’re isolating there.
“They’re in good spirits and they feel well.”
Cardiff were in South Africa to compete in the United Rugby Championship, alongside Munster, Zebre and Scarlets. However, all four of the tournament’s games were postponed.
Initially, the games were due to be played in Italy, but as South Africa was not on the UK Government’s red list at the time, it was chosen instead.
Welsh side Scarlets are completing the required 10-day isolation period at a hotel in Belfast, after returning from the newly red-listed South Africa.
Munster Rugby, based in the south west of Ireland, are also stuck in South Africa, following an initial single Covid case in their camp. However, it was confirmed this morning after another round of PCR tests, that there are now 10 positive cases in their camp.
What we know about the Omicron variant
The variant was first detected by South Africa’s National Institute of Communicable Diseases on November 25.
Dr Angelique Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical Association told Sky News: “A patient reported at her clinic being extremely fatigued for two days with body aches and a headache.”
Other symptoms included muscle aches, a scratchy throat, and a dry cough.
How may the situation be resolved?
Cardiff chairman Alun Jones said this morning that the majority of the squad can leave South Africa, providing they can get a flight and quarantine hotel.
Speaking to the BBC, he said “The best-case scenario would be flying back in the next few days.
“The two players who have tested positive will have to do 14 days (quarantine) in South Africa.
“My understanding is if we can get the others into suitable self-isolation in conformity with the rules and guidelines as UK nationals, they can fly back.
“It is then a question of when can we get a flight back and can we secure the correct facilities. I don’t think there is a requirement to do 10 days of quarantine in South Africa.
“The sooner we can get them back the sooner the quarantine in the UK can start.”
- For updates on this ongoing situation, follow @cardiffian_news on Twitter.
