Premiership Rugby has confirmed that the latest round of Covid-19 testing has returned 18 positive cases.
The list includes 13 players and five staff members spread across nine clubs which is a reduction by one case from the last week that had 19 positive for Covid-19.
A total of 997 Tests were conducted in the squad for all the 12 clubs and now the positively tested members along with their close contacts will now be isolated according to the Public Health England agreed guidelines.
Earlier, the EPCR announced suspension of Champions and Challenge Cup competitions while Premiership Rugby also announced a two-week mid-season break due to the Covid-19 concerns.
The organisers also earlier announced that the Women’s and U20s Six Nations tournaments have been postponed with the Women’s domestic Premier 15s season also set to be suspended by two weeks.
Weekly Test results:
Week 1: 967 tests, seven positives from three clubs
Week 2: 983 tests, three positives, one club
Week 3: 986 tests, zero positives
Week 4: 1,034 tests, three positives, two clubs
Week 5: 1,047, 18 positives, two clubs
Week 6: 967 tests, 12 positives, five clubs
Week 7: 951 tests, 33 positives, 10 clubs
Week 8: 981 tests, 19 positives, eight clubs
Week 9: 997 tests, 18 positives, nine clubs.