Camilo Chiquito, main medical officer of the Ecuadorian national soccer team, asserted that the biosecurity protocols imposed by the Ministry of Health and Conmebol were never violated; even though three positive cases of COVID-19 were detected within the team, after the match against Bolivia.
"As it is publicly known, we have three cases of COVID-19: Enner Valencia, Diego Palacios, and Alan Franco. These are three different cases that we have handled differently. We have not violated any health regulations or the Conmebol protocol. The players arrived in the country with a test and repeated it here, which came back negative on Monday 9," said the doctor on Saturday night in a press conference.
Chiquito explained Valencia's situation, who was expected to start in La Paz. "He showed general discomfort, but without a clear case of coronavirus, that is why no further information is given. We were calm with the negative test on Monday. Before the match against Bolivia, he showed more symptoms and we decided that he should not play. Once here, as a precaution and following protocols, we decided to isolate him and Alan Franco. Today (Saturday) we confirmed their positive cases".
Meanwhile, Diego Palacios, the third infected player, does not present any symptoms.
Finally, the doctor informed that the players "are under care and in good health" and that "there is nothing to worry about".
"They have been properly isolated and today we conducted a new check-up as the regulations require. Any further statement will be made by the communications department," he concluded. (D)