'They've done everything they can' - Leeds Rhinos hailed for pandemic response

Rhinos were back in training yesterday following an 11-day lay-off after six players and one member of staff tested positive for Covid-19. The shutdown was extended last week following four more cases but Rhinos’ Kirkstall training complex has now reopened.

Dr Marwan Al-Dawoud, Rhinos’ head of medical services, confirmed none of the players who tested positive has been seriously ill and stressed the club have done everything it could to keep the virus away.

“I have worked in lots of sports clubs - within rugby league and lots of other sports - and the way in which Leeds Rhinos have backed me and the amount of resource and focus they have put into this is exemplary,” Al-Dawoud said.

“They have done everything they can; everything that’s been asked they have not only done, but done with vigour.

“They have gone over and above - things like installing air cleaning systems which we have not been told to do, but it is something we have looked at and think may help.

“Even if it only helps by a couple of per cent, it’s something we’re willing to do.

“We have done everything we can but, ultimately, this is a very infectious virus, people are getting it and it is spreading.

“What has happened in terms of the recent outbreak has reflected what has been happening UK-wide, in terms of cases are rising and perhaps this new variant is more contagious. That may well be what has affected us.”

Though Rhinos have won their latest battle, Al-Dawoud said the war against coronavirus will continue.

“I think until we get herd immunity through mass vaccination, there are going to be problems that affect clubs,” he predicted.

“We are not the only club that’s been affected in rugby league and sport in general - it has affected other clubs and it is a difficult thing to manage.”

The players who contracted the illness were required to isolate and go through return-to-training protocols before getting back to work.

Al-Dawoud said: “It affects people in different ways and we’ve had different levels of the amount it has affected people but I am happy to say that, as of now, all the players who have had it are doing well.”

But he warned: “What I have impressed upon the players is that while they are young, fit athletes and they are most likely to get only mild symptoms and make a full recovery, there is a risk of them getting it bad and that causing short-, medium- or even potential long-term complications.

“There have been cases among the general public of fit people becoming very unwell. Although the chances are very small, it is still a risk and that is important for us to understand.

“There was a feeling among the general public that this is an old person’s problem; if we are young and fit why can’t we go out and be normal and just keep the people who are vulnerable shielded?

“But, though our athletes are young, fit and well, they are not immune to this.”

Evidence suggests the players who recently tested positive will not suffer a recurrence in the short term.

“There will be lots of views on this, but my view, from what I understand, is if you get Covid it is in theory less likely you will get it again,” said Al-Dawoud.

“The figures are about five months of immunity post an infection, however there’s a few things there that are variable. The first thing is, was that infection Covid?

“We know the testing is very accurate, but it’s not 100 per cent so there is a chance they could have had a cold and then tested positive for Covid, but it might not have been Covid. Then they get symptoms a month later and test positive again.

“That’s one possible thing; in theory if you get Covid it is unlikely you’ll get it again, but we just don’t know because we don’t understand the virus enough.”

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