Events at Keswick Cricket Club were dealt a severe blow when it was discovered that a player and a spectator at a friendly game held at the club on August 30 had both since tested positive for COVID-19.
The club immediately cancelled all forthcoming events and informed the authorities and all those involved in the game.
All last weekend’s fixtures involving the club’s first, second and third teams and their respective opponents on Saturday and Sunday, Cockermouth first XI, Braithwaite (in a game due to be played at the village ground) and Penrith Academy, were postponed with immediate effect.
The club’s pavilion was closed a statement was released through social media and also notified those who had been directly involved in events.
For all games in this shortened season the club has followed the strict protocols put in place through Government and the England and Wales Cricket Board for those playing in or attending matches.
The club has kept a record of all those who have entered the club building on match days.
The match at the centre of the incident was a friendly “Old Boys” game arranged between two sides made up principally of former players from Keswick CC.
It would appear that the two Keswick people who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 had recently visited relatives in the North East.
In the statement released on behalf of the club, head coach Mark Cameron, who has been responsible for leading the club’s on and off field activities during the pandemic, said: “On the 4th September, the club has been informed that a player participating in a match held in Fitz Park on Sunday, 30th August, has tested positive for COVID-19 along with a spectator (the player’s partner) at the ground.
“In accordance with the current guidelines those people are now in self-isolation for 10 days.
“The club has taken a decision to close for a seven-day period, from the date of the match, and to conduct a deep clean of the cricket pavilion before reopening.
“This decision was taken to support the fight against COVID-19 and to allow people in and around the club to deal with the implications.”
The statement then provided details of the games, last weekend, which had been cancelled and added that the club was in contact with the leagues involved, the Cumbria Cricket League (CCL) and the Eden Valley Cricket League (EVCL) to inform them of developments and also with a view to rescheduling the games.
Live outside entertainment, organised for Saturday’s last first XI home game of the shortened season, against Cockermouth CC, was also cancelled.
A KCC junior game, due to be played at Appleby on the Sunday, did not go ahead.
“The club has operated a ‘track and trace’ policy since opening in late July,” the statement continued, “and has implemented protocols to try and protect members and guests from the spread of the virus.
“We are awaiting advice from the health services and, in accordance with requirements, will pass on the details provided by visitors to the club (on 30th August) to the appropriate authorities.
“All players attending on that day have been made aware and all staff and volunteers attending the club for the match last Sunday have been advised and all have undertaken COVID-19 tests since being notified.
“Any member or guest who was present at the club on 30th August should follow the guidance set out on the Government’s website.
“We hope to be back in action soon at the club and we thank you for your support and co-operation. We will post details of any rearranged events.”
The club subsequently stated that all players and officials involved in last Sunday’s match had undergone tests which proved negative.
The club has been in discussion with the authorities, the leagues and clubs to rearrange cancelled games.
