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Sports News of Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Watford player, Mariappa, tests positive for COVID-19

Adrian Mariappa Adrian Mariappa

Watford defender, Adrian Mariappa, has revealed that he has tested positive for coronavirus.

His announcement comes after the Premier League announced that six staff tested positive for the virus after the first phase of the mass tests conducted for all 20 teams in the league.

Alongside Mariappa, who was asymptomatic until his results came back positive, are two members of Watford staff and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan, all part of the six announced by the PL.

The 33-year-old will now self-isolate for seven days, with a view to being tested again next week.

"It's quite scary how you can feel absolutely fine and not really have left the house, and yet still get the virus," Mariappa told Telegraph Sport.

"If it wasn't for the fact I had gone back to training and had this test, then I'd never have found out that I had the virus and I would just be getting on with things as normal. That's obviously quite a strange thought."

Mariappa said he has felt "as fit as ever" during lockdown, while following a personalised fitness plan, but his immediate focus is with his family.

"I live with three of my children, who are five, nine and 11, and my partner and, obviously, now I'm a bit worried about them," he said.

"They are all fine and are not showing any symptoms, but you can't help but think about it and keep your distance once you know you've tested positive."

Sky Sports