An insight into Hartlepool United's coronavirus testing regime

The 2020-21 season has been dominated by the threat of coronavirus with fans unable to attend matches at Victoria Park all season and many matches being called off due to positive cases.

As of Monday, March 22, Pools have had just two positive cases this season with neither resulting in any postponed matches.

Winger Luke Molyneux missed the opening matches of the season due to testing positive and a club staff member was forced to self-isolate after contracting the virus back in January.

Since the introduction of mandatory rapid flow testing, Pools have had no positive results so far and will be hoping that continues to be the case as they push for promotion from the fifth tier.

The Hartlepool players and staff are tested twice a week, every Monday and Thursday morning, with the club using a rota system for which players come through and when.

Club physio Ian ‘Buster’ Gallagher gives out the rapid flow tests which take around 30-minutes to provide a result. If the test comes back negative, the player will receive a text with a ‘thumbs up’, allowing them to enter the changing room and use the club’s facilities.

A positive test would result in the player or staff member being sent home to self-isolate for 10 days.

Pools boss Dave Challinor told the Mail: “It’s not a pleasant experience to be honest but from our perspective, it has been great that we’ve had no positive results so far.”

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