Atleti said
Simeone, captain Koke, midfielder Hector Herrera plus forwards Antoine
Griezmann and Joao Felix all tested positive for the coronavirus.
“All of
them are asymptomatic and isolating at their respective homes, in strict
compliance with the health authorities’ guidelines,” Atletico said in a
statement.
Atleti,
fifth in LaLiga on 29 points after 18 games, host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Barcelona
said midfielder Philippe Coutinho, defender Sergino Dest and winger Ez Abde
were the latest players to return positive tests.
The Catalans
had already been hit by a number of COVID-19 cases in their squad, with Ousmane
Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi set to miss Sunday’s LaLiga trip to Real
Mallorca after testing positive.
Clement
Lenglet, Dani Alves, Jordi Alba and Alejandro Balde also returned positive
tests this week.
“Footballers
Sergino Dest, Coutinho and Ez Abde have tested positive for COVID-19. The
players are in good health and self-isolating at home. The club has reported
the cases to the relevant authorities,” Barcelona said in a statement.
Barca, who
last played in the league in a 1-1 draw at Sevilla on Dec 21, are seventh on 28
points from 18 games.
Real Madrid
are also dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak nL1N2TE0WE in their squad with
Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Jr returning
positive tests on Wednesday.
Luka Modric,
Rodrygo, Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Andriy Lunin, Isco and David
Alaba also tested positive earlier this month.
Spain’s
14-day infection rate hit a new record,360 cases per 100,000 people on Tuesday,
rising from 1,206 cases the previous day and marking a five-fold increase since
the beginning of December.
