COVID infected Arthur and Thirimanne moved to Nawaloka Hospital

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lanka’s national team head coach Mickey Arthur and top order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, have been isolated in a private hospital (Nawaloka), it is learnt. 

"Arthur has been shifted from his hotel (Taj Samudra) and Lahiru from his home," a source said.

"They will be quarantined at this intermediate care facility for 14 days."     

"All other players have been asked to isolate from their home.”

Arthur, who apparently is the first known international cricket coach to have contracted the virus, tweeted, "Thank you to everybody who has sent their wishes....not sure how I picked up Covid because I have not done much post the England series but just shows to everybody be careful and stay safe!". 

One of the medical personnel attached with the sports ministry and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) refuted media reports, which claimed that Thirimanne may have been affected after attending Sadeera Samarawickrama's wedding on February 2. 

"Arthur didn't attend the wedding. All players (and support staff) were tested at around 11.00 AM and the wedding was only in the evening", the medical person, added. 

"We didn't warn players specifically against attending the wedding, but they have been asked to avoid the gatherings.” 

However, it is not yet known if any other player who attended the wedding might have been infected by Thirimanne. 

The decision to reschedule the West Indies tour has already been discussed. 

"We are meeting SLC tomorrow morning (Thursday evening in Sri Lanka),” Johnny Grave, the CEO of CWI (Cricket West Indies) said over the telephone from Antigua. 

"We are hoping Sri Lanka will still come here in March as planned. They were due to arrive in Antigua on the 20th February.”

"They will be quarantined for three days in the hotel. Then they can practice from day 4, subject to returning negative tests on arrival and day 3", the CEO further added.