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Boost for Ulster as latest round of COVID-19 tests come back negative

Ulster have confirmed that the latest round of PCR testing at the province has produced zero posi...



Ulster have confirmed that the latest round of PCR testing at the province has produced zero positive results. 

Leinster have also returned a clean bill of health.

It's a major boost for Ulster, who on Wednesday night confirmed that "multiple" Academy players had tested positive for COVID-19. They've since clarified that there were eight positive tests.

Training with the senior squad was allowed to resume on Thursday when it was known that all players and coaching staff had tested negative.

However, the one unnamed senior player who was deemed to be a 'close contact' of the eight Academy players will continue to self-isolate, despite testing negative. This measure is in line with public health advice.

They say that all individuals identified as potential close contacts of this group of Academy players immediately began self-isolating and have since been tested.

Academy training remains suspended.

To date there have been 1,070 PCR tests performed across the four provinces with only 9 returning positive results (8 Ulster Academy, 1 Munster Academy).

Munster will reveal their latest set of results on Thursday evening, with Connacht following on Friday.

Ulster are due to play Leinster in their latest Guinness PRO14 fixture on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.

IRFU Medical Director Rod McLaughlin said, "We have now had two occurrences of Covid and while the primary focus and concern will always be player health it is good to see that the systems and protocols that have been put in place are working.

"We will now use these experiences to refine our systems and protocols as we continue to operate in this new environment."

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Coronavirus Covid-19 Guinness Pro14 Leinster Pro 14 Ulster