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All six Covid-positive hockey players in hospital as 'precautionary measure'

India captain Manpreet Singh (pictured) is one of six players who tested positive for Covid-19 during SAI's mandatory testing upon arrival in Bengaluru for the planned national camp. DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images

In addition to Mandeep Singh, five hockey players -- Manpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Jaskaran Singh, Varun Kumar and Krishan Bahadur Pathak -- who tested positive for Covid-19 have been shifted to a hospital in Bengaluru as a precautionary measure, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said on Wednesday.

Mandeep is asymptomatic but was hospitalised at the SS Sparsh Multispeciality Hospital in Bengaluru on Monday night after a dip in his blood oxygen level. His teammates were admitted to the same hospital on Tuesday.

"...the Sports Authority of India decided to shift the other five players, to SS Sparsh Multispeciality Hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday afternoon, as a precautionary measure," the SAI said.

Mandeep, national captain Manpreet, defenders Surender and Jaskaran, drag-flicker Varun and goalkeeper Krishan tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week after reaching Bengaluru for the national camp, which is scheduled to begin on August 20.

"The decision to hospitalise them was taken so as to ensure that the players were attended to at all times and could be given the best possible treatment. All six athletes are in good health and recovering well."

According to SAI, the players contracted the disease, in all probability, while travelling to Bengaluru from different parts of the country after a month-long break. All six players tested positive during SAI's mandatory testing upon arrival in Bengaluru.

All the women players have, however, tested negative and are on track to resume training.