A virologist and member of the FIGC medical commission confirms ‘the rule could change’ regarding a 14-day quarantine, as COVID-19 is ‘weaker’ in Italy now.
The medical protocol for Serie A’s resumption from June 20 had to include an automatic 14-day isolation period for the entire squad in case of a positive coronavirus test, not just the person who caught the disease.
There are the very real fears that with this rule in place, one positive test among players or staff could bring the entire tournament to a halt.
A virologist and member of the FIGC medical commission confirms ‘the rule could change’ regarding a 14-day quarantine, as COVID-19 is ‘weaker’ in Italy now.
The medical protocol for Serie A’s resumption from June 20 had to include an automatic 14-day isolation period for the entire squad in case of a positive coronavirus test, not just the person who caught the disease.
There are the very real fears that with this rule in place, one positive test among players or staff could bring the entire tournament to a halt.
“If more than one team has to stop, then yes, but with one they probably would still have time to conclude the tournament,” Professor Vincenzo Salini told Rai Sport.
“After many difficulties, the path of the virus is going downhill now, so there are the clinical and epidemiological conditions to suggest the virus is weakening.”
This has been mentioned by several virologists in Italy, claiming the viral load of the positive tests now are ‘infinitesimal’ compared to a month ago.
“We don’t know why that has happened, presumably the heat has affected it, or the virus may well have mutated. The fact is, we no longer have any intensive care patients at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.”
With the virus losing strength and new cases showing minimal symptoms, would it therefore be possible to reduce the 14-day quarantine rule for the whole group?
“We are trying to see how the situation evolves, but with the viral load lowered, we could change the rule over time. In any case, I still think the season can come to a conclusion.”