Members of the Pakistan squad pose for a selfie before departing for New Zealand. Photo: File
CHRISTCHURCH: The Pakistan Cricket Board announced Wednesday that another member of the squad in New Zealand has tested positive for coronavirus, taking the entire COVID-19 cases to eight.

"Out of 54, a complete of eight Pakistan cricket team members have tested positive following day 1, 3 and 6 tests," said the PCB during a statement released after discussions with the New Zealand authorities.

The PCB said that out of the eight, two are labelled "historic", making them "not infectious".

"They are now observing the isolation period on an equivalent floor because the other members of the squad who have tested negative," read the statement.
The PCB also shared that the New Zealand authorities may give the go-ahead for the team to coach , in their managed isolation, following their day 9 tests if they return negative. However, the ultimate approval still lies with the New Zealand Health Ministry.

"Following Day 12 tests and subject to New Zealand Health Ministry’s final approval, all those that will clear the 14-day checkup are going to be ready to leave the managed isolation facility," read the statement.

The PCB said that the board is in close contact with the Pakistan team management in New Zealand. It added that the squad has been informed once they are going to be ready to return to training.

"The management and therefore the players are fully supportive of the method and keen to urge back on to the sector as soon as they're compliant with the New Zealand Government Rules," said the statement.

On Tuesday, New Zealand had shared that test results of day 6 swabs of 42 out of the 46 members of the squad had returned negative.

But three cases were held back by the authorities and it had been stated that the results were "under investigation" with one result pending.

"The New Zealand Health ministry’s spokesperson had told Geo News that the three cases under investigation had returned positive."

“We are watching these further to work out if they're historical infections. An update are going to be provided tomorrow.”

Earlier, six members of the team tested positive for COVID-19 upon their arrival in New Zealand — two of those were identified to be historical infections.

Later another member of the team tested positive within the second round of testing conducted on Day 3.