Scottish Premiership records zero coronavirus cases following latest batch of testing

Clean bill of health for top flight clubs as new season approaches

Hampden Park Stadium, on April 14, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Plans to start the new Scottish Premiership season as scheduled on August 1 received a boost after the latest round of testing showed no cases of coronavirus among top flight clubs.

A statement released by the SFA/SPFL Joint Response Group on Monday confirmed that between July 6 and 12 a total of 1055 Scottish Premiership players and team staff were tested for Covid-19, with no positive results recorded.

The clean bill of health is welcome news after an Aberdeen first team player became the first and only confirmed coronavirus case in the Scottish Premiership during the first week of testing between June 29 and July 6.

The unnamed player, described as being asymptomatic, was subsequently placed into self-isolation.

No such action will be required after the second round of testing produced zero positive results, despite involving an additional 119 individuals.

The Joint Response Group plan to provide test results on a weekly basis as part of its Return to Football strategy in order to ensure “competition integrity and transparency”, although no specific details will be provided on individuals tested due to medical confidentiality.