[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#f55549″ background_color=””]M[/mkdf_dropcaps]
ajor League Baseball (MLB) has released its COVID-19 test results following the first week of training camps, with a total 83 confirmed cases from intake testing and monitoring testing.

Within the 83 positive tests, 71 cases are players, and 12 staff members across 28 different clubs, with players being tested every second day and staff at least twice per week as the league attempts to resume its season after the virus forced the season to be suspended in March.

The intake testing made up 66 of the 83 positive cases, representing a total 1.8 % positive rate from the intake testing as players and staff arrived at their home stadia, with a total 3,748 tests completed during the stage.

The results at this early stage are adding further to public widespread criticism of the MLB’s decision to return to action while the U.S still battles with COVID-19, which is continuing to worsen across the country.

Over the weekend, the Houston Astros cancelled a full day of workouts after a staff member reported potential exposure to someone who is COVID-19 positive, marking the second time in a week the club cancelled workouts due to concerns over the risks involved with the season restart.

Some players have decided to announce their positive cases of COVID-19, including Freddie Freeman, DJ LeMahieu, Charlie Blackmon, Salvador Perez, and Joey Gallo.

Several players have also announced they plan to sit out the remainder of the 2020 season due to concerns over the MLB’s ability to control the coronavirus, including Buster Posey, David Price, Ian Desmond, Mike Leake and Nick Markakis.

As per the MLB’s revised pay agreement with the MLB Players’ Association (MLBPA), players who are categorised as ‘high risk’ of contracting COVID-19, can opt out of the season restart and receive salary and service time, while those who are not ‘high risk’ and decline to play will not receive salaries and service time.