Victory for CSA’s T20 bubble: No positive Covid cases
Nearly 800 tests were done on 132 players and officials in Durban over the 16 days.
The Lions celebrate winning the CSA T20 Challenge final against the Dolphins in Durban last week. The 16-day competition in a bio-secure environment returned no positive Covid-19 cases. Picture: Getty Images
Cricket South Africa’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shuaib Manjra, has given a thumbs-up to all the role players who were involved in the recent T20 Challenge, held in a bio-bubble in Durban.
According to Manjra, no positive Covid-19 cases were recorded; from 132 officials and players and nearly 800 tests.
The competition was played over 16 days and won by the Lions.
According to CSA, five rounds of testing were performed, beginning pre-bubble on 10 February (48 hours prior to entry into the BSE) and ending on 25 February, with not a single positive result.
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“It is really encouraging and testament to the seriousness which all stakeholders involved treated the BSE environment that there were no positive tests returned,” Manjra said on Thursday.
“This is a massive accomplishment for Cricket South Africa and all those that were involved in putting the tournament together.”
Manjra explained the difficulties involved in hosting the “bubble” in Durban.
“Firstly, it was six teams rather than two teams which we have hosted in previous bio-secure environments,” said Manjra. “Then it also included match officials, CSA officials, hotel staff as well as two groups of Proteas players – the Test team and the T20 team who entered the BSE at different times.
“As a unit – including players, match officials, hotel staff, the Covid-19 compliance team, Cricket South Africa, tournament doctors and team management – we ensured the successful delivery of the T20 Challenge and we’re really thankful to all of those role players.”
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