Seven St Mirren staff members test positive for coronavirus

Seven members of the St Mirren coaching staff have tested positive for Covid-19.

No players are thought to be infected with the virus but staff have been notified of a number of confirmed cases at the club.

St Mirren’s planned friendly match at home to St Johnstone on Saturday has been cancelled as a result.

Scottish Premiership clubs have been instructed to revert back to twice-weekly testing protocols.

A St Mirren spokesman said: “We can confirm our testing regimen has identified several members of our coaching staff have tested positive for Covid-19.

“We immediately contacted the health authorities, and the SPFL and the SFA have also been informed.

“Thus far no members of the playing staff have tested positive and we are taking all possible precautions to ensure there is no further spread.

“We will provide an update in due course.”

A spokesperson from the Scottish Football Association said: “The Joint Response Group has been notified that St Mirren Football Club has today returned seven positive tests for Covid-19.

“We immediately contacted the Scottish Government and the office of the clinical director for Scotland to relay this information.

“As a consequence, St Mirren’s planned friendly match at home to St Johnstone, scheduled to take place on Saturday July 25, has been cancelled.

“In light of this and other recent events, the JRG hereby notifies Scottish Premiership clubs that with immediate effect they must revert to twice-weekly testing protocols until further notice.”

St Mirren, who start their competitive campaign at home to Livingston on August 1, last played Hamilton Accies in a friendly on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the South Lanarkshire club said: “Following the departure of the St Mirren squad on Saturday the area used was cleaned and disinfected.

“The location occupied by St Mirren was a segregated area at the far end of our stadium and is separate from the areas used by Hamilton Accies’ players and staff on a matchday.

“Subsequently on Monday, all players and backroom staff were tested with all results returned negative.”