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Thursday 13 August 2020 20:41, UK
France's Alex Levy has become the first European Tour player to test positive for the coronavirus following his withdrawal from the Celtic Classic.
Levy initially tested negative after informing tournament officials that a friend he had met at home in France over the weekend had tested positive for the virus, but was re-tested and returned a positive result.
The 30-year-old must now self-isolate for 14 days, and fellow player Romain Wattel was also withdrawn from the event after being identified as one of Levy's contacts at Celtic Manor.
Levy's caddie Tom Ayling and Wattel have returned negative tests.
A statement from the European Tour read: "Although Levy initially returned a negative COVID-19 test upon his arrival at the Celtic Manor Resort and had not displayed symptoms, after reporting his exposure and because of the incubation period of the virus, he was subsequently re-tested and returned a positive result.
"Wattel was identified as a contact of Levy after the European Tour and Public Health Wales worked collaboratively to track and trace. He was also re-tested but returned a negative result, as did Levy's caddie Tom Ayling.
"As a precaution, however, Wattel did not participate in the tournament in accordance with Public Health Wales' guidance.
"Levy, Ayling and Wattel are now all in self-isolation and the European Tour and its medical team will support all three individuals throughout that period."
Wattel was replaced in the tournament by England's Matthew Baldwin, while Levy was replaced by Denmark's Martin Simonsen.
Public Health Wales said it was "satisfied" with the European Tour's handling of the situation, and will not be taking any further action.
Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the novel coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: "Public Health Wales can confirm that we are aware of a case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) linked to the Celtic Classic golf tournament.
"We are not investigating any incident or outbreak associated with this, and we are satisfied that appropriate procedures are being followed.
"As we move into the recovery phase of the Coronavirus pandemic, we expect to see cases in different settings. We manage any cases of Coronavirus appropriately, including by providing advice around infection prevention and control, and by supporting contact tracing where required."
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