Olympic Games: two South African players tested positive for Covid-19

Two South African footballers have become the first athletes in the Olympic Village to test positive for Covid-19 just five days before the start of the Olympics.

The players concerned – Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi are members of the U23 soccer team – and have achieved positive results alongside team video analyst Mario Masha.

A statement from Safa confirmed that those affected have been put in isolation while the rest of the team, who have tested negative twice, are closely following all recommendations from local health authorities.

“Three members of the SA team’s men’s under-23 football team have tested positive for Covid-19 and are in isolation in the Tokyo 2020 isolation center,” part of the report read. Safa press release.

“The three members are players Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi and video analyst Mario Masha, who tested positive in the last round of daily sputum. [saliva] trial.

“The rest of the team have already tested negative twice and are closely following all recommendations from local health authorities.

“SA team officials and management followed all relevant rules, protocols and procedures of the Olympic Playbook throughout the pre-Games and Games arrival routines.

“They were tested upon arrival, daily at the Olympic Village, and complied with all mandatory measures implemented to ensure the safety of Games participants and the Japanese people, including keeping a physical distance and wearing masks at all times. . “

The statement continued: “A fourth member of the SA team, Sevens Sevens coach Neil Powell, also produced a positive result and was admitted to an isolation center in Kagashimo where the Sevens team is. currently in pre-Games training camp. “

Explaining what happened, South Africa’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Phatho Zondi, said: “Every member of the South Africa team needed full medical clearance as a criterion. ‘eligibility.

“In addition, they were encouraged to self-isolate for two weeks prior to departure, monitor their health daily, report any symptoms, and produce two negative nasopharyngeal PCR tests performed within 96 hours of departure as per the requirements of Tokyo 2020.

“The timing of the positive results suggests that the PCR test in these individuals was done during the incubation period of the infection, so they could be negative in South Africa and then positive in Japan.

“They are now isolated where they will continue to be monitored and will not be allowed to train or have physical contact with the rest of the squad.”

SA-U23 team for the Olympic Games: Ronwen Williams, Mondli Mpoto, Sifiso Mlungwana, Tercious Malepe, Katlego Mohamme, Luke Fleurs, Sibusiso Mabiliso, Abbubaker Mobara, Thabiso Monyane, Tebogo Mokoena, Thabo Cele, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Sipho Singho Mbule, Goodmanohyle Mosopa, Lokohyle Mosopa, Evidence Foster and Kabamelo Kodisang.