Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will cover all the costs pertaining to NHS staff staying at the hotel. Reuters
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will cover all the costs pertaining to NHS staff staying at the hotel. Reuters
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will cover all the costs pertaining to NHS staff staying at the hotel. Reuters
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will cover all the costs pertaining to NHS staff staying at the hotel. Reuters

Football

Chelsea make hotel available to NHS staff fighting coronavirus, owner Roman Abramovich to cover all costs

The entire hotel would be made available for the next two months or longer if needed

The National

March 18, 2020

Premier League football club Chelsea have made the Millennium Hotel at their Stamford Bridge stadium in London available to the National Health Service (NHS) to provide accommodation to staff as they fight the coronavirus pandemic.

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"Many of the medical staff will be working long shifts and may not be able to travel home or would otherwise have to make long commutes," Chelsea said in a statement.

"Local accommodation helps maintain the health and well-being of these crucial personnel at this critical time. NHS staff will be those working in hospitals in the North-West London region, but that may extend to hospitals in other districts."

Chelsea said that owner Roman Abramovich would be footing the bill and that the entire hotel would be made available for the next two months or longer if needed.

"The number of rooms utilised will depend on demand but potentially all the rooms in the Millennium Hotel could be given over for this purpose," Chelsea said. "No staff showing symptoms will use the hotel.

"Millennium Hotels and Resorts, who manage the hotel, are supportive and assisting the club in providing this service to the NHS."

The number of global cases has topped 200,000 cases on Wednesday, with over 8,000 deaths. The recovery rate continues to climb, with 82,000 patients clear of symptoms.

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Sports stars to test positive for Covid-19

Former Manchester United player Marouane Fellaini tested positive in China where he plays for Shandong Luneng. He has now been discharged. Reuters
Former Manchester United player Marouane Fellaini tested positive in China where he plays for Shandong Luneng. He has now been discharged. Reuters
Juventus' Paulo Dybala said both he and his girlfriend Oriana tested positive though both were in "perfect conditions". AP Photo
Juventus' Paulo Dybala said both he and his girlfriend Oriana tested positive though both were in "perfect conditions". AP Photo
Milan's sports director and club legend Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel, who plays for the same club, tested positive for Covid-19. A statement from the club said both are well. EPA
Milan's sports director and club legend Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel, who plays for the same club, tested positive for Covid-19. A statement from the club said both are well. EPA
Wu Lei of Espanyol. "Wu Lei has mild symptoms and is currently undergoing treatment," the CFA said in a statement, adding that they had been given the news by La Liga strugglers Espanyol. The 28-year-old striker, China's best-known player, is in self-isolation at home in Barcelona, Xinhua news agency said. Getty Images
Wu Lei of Espanyol. "Wu Lei has mild symptoms and is currently undergoing treatment," the CFA said in a statement, adding that they had been given the news by La Liga strugglers Espanyol. The 28-year-old striker, China's best-known player, is in self-isolation at home in Barcelona, Xinhua news agency said. Getty Images
Kevin Durant is reportedly among four Brooklyn Nets players who have tested positive for the coronavirus and are in isolation. The injured Durant, who has yet to play for the Nets since signing for the team last year, confirmed to The Athletic website he had tested positive for the virus. "Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We're going to get through this," Durant was quoted as saying. AFP
Kevin Durant is reportedly among four Brooklyn Nets players who have tested positive for the coronavirus and are in isolation. The injured Durant, who has yet to play for the Nets since signing for the team last year, confirmed to The Athletic website he had tested positive for the virus. "Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We're going to get through this," Durant was quoted as saying. AFP
Juventus confirmed on Tuesday night that French midfielder Blaise Matuidi had become the second player from the club to test positive for the coronavirus. Italian defender Daniele Rugani was the first player to play in Serie A to test positive last week. EPA
Juventus confirmed on Tuesday night that French midfielder Blaise Matuidi had become the second player from the club to test positive for the coronavirus. Italian defender Daniele Rugani was the first player to play in Serie A to test positive last week. EPA
Valencia's Eliaquim Mangala, left, was one of five players and staff at the club to test positive. "I'm feeling good and I have no symptoms associated with the virus. However, I am confined in house and separated from my family," he said on Twitter. AP Photo
Valencia's Eliaquim Mangala, left, was one of five players and staff at the club to test positive. "I'm feeling good and I have no symptoms associated with the virus. However, I am confined in house and separated from my family," he said on Twitter. AP Photo
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive on March 14 but said he was "feeling better already" the following day. Staff who had been in contact with him were self-isolating. AFP
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive on March 14 but said he was "feeling better already" the following day. Staff who had been in contact with him were self-isolating. AFP
Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert, who apologized for his careless actions before he was diagnosed with novel coronavirus, has pledged to donate more than half a million dollars to health services and arena workers affected by the pandemic. AFP
Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert, who apologized for his careless actions before he was diagnosed with novel coronavirus, has pledged to donate more than half a million dollars to health services and arena workers affected by the pandemic. AFP
Valencia's Ezequiel Garay was the first La Liga player to test positive on March 15. "I tested positive for coronavirus, I feel very well and now all that's left is to do what the health authorities say, which is to isolate myself," he said on Instagram. All football is suspended in Spain. EPA
Valencia's Ezequiel Garay was the first La Liga player to test positive on March 15. "I tested positive for coronavirus, I feel very well and now all that's left is to do what the health authorities say, which is to isolate myself," he said on Instagram. All football is suspended in Spain. EPA
Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi was the first Premier League player to test positive. He said on Twitter on March 13: "As you may be aware I had the virus for the last couple of days which I have recovered from. I am following the health guidelines and self-isolating myself from everybody for the week. I hope to see everybody soon and hopefully will be back on the pitch very soon. Reuters
Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi was the first Premier League player to test positive. He said on Twitter on March 13: "As you may be aware I had the virus for the last couple of days which I have recovered from. I am following the health guidelines and self-isolating myself from everybody for the week. I hope to see everybody soon and hopefully will be back on the pitch very soon. Reuters
Juventus' Italian defender Daniele Rugani was confirmed to have the virus on March 12. "You've read the news, so I want to reassure everyone who's worried about me, I'm fine," Rugani said on Twitter. The entire Juventus squad is to spend two weeks in quarantine. AFP
Juventus' Italian defender Daniele Rugani was confirmed to have the virus on March 12. "You've read the news, so I want to reassure everyone who's worried about me, I'm fine," Rugani said on Twitter. The entire Juventus squad is to spend two weeks in quarantine. AFP
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was the second NBA player to contract the virus. The NBA season has been suspended. AP Photo
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was the second NBA player to contract the virus. The NBA season has been suspended. AP Photo
Manolo Gabbiadini of Sampdoria is one of five players to have tested positive at the club. "I still want to tell you that I'm fine, so don't worry. Follow all the rules, stay at home and everything will work out," said Gabbiadini on Twitter. PA Wire.
Manolo Gabbiadini of Sampdoria is one of five players to have tested positive at the club. "I still want to tell you that I'm fine, so don't worry. Follow all the rules, stay at home and everything will work out," said Gabbiadini on Twitter. PA Wire.
Sampdoria's Omar Colley, right, was confirmed to have coronavirus. Lapresse via AP
Sampdoria's Omar Colley, right, was confirmed to have coronavirus. Lapresse via AP
Albin Ekdal of Sampdoria tested positive. Italy is one of the worst affected countries. Getty Images
Albin Ekdal of Sampdoria tested positive. Italy is one of the worst affected countries. Getty Images
Fabio Depaoli, left of Sampdoria, said on Instagram that he was "fine" after testing positive. Getty Images
Fabio Depaoli, left of Sampdoria, said on Instagram that he was "fine" after testing positive. Getty Images
Morten Thorsby, left, was one of five Sampdoria footballers to test positive. Lapresse via AP
Morten Thorsby, left, was one of five Sampdoria footballers to test positive. Lapresse via AP
Fiorentina foward Patrick Cutrone, on loan from Premier League Wolves, is one of three players to test positive at the club. EPA
Fiorentina foward Patrick Cutrone, on loan from Premier League Wolves, is one of three players to test positive at the club. EPA
German Pezzella, right, of Fiorentina, said on Instagram that his symptoms had disappeared after he tested positive. EPA
German Pezzella, right, of Fiorentina, said on Instagram that his symptoms had disappeared after he tested positive. EPA
Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic was another confirmed case. Fiorentina said in a statement on March 13: "The club is in the process of undertaking all the necessary isolation procedures in accordance with the regulations, starting with identifying all the people who have had contact with the player." EPA
Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic was another confirmed case. Fiorentina said in a statement on March 13: "The club is in the process of undertaking all the necessary isolation procedures in accordance with the regulations, starting with identifying all the people who have had contact with the player." EPA
Hannover's Timo Hubers, right, was the first player in Germany to be diagnosed. Reuters
Hannover's Timo Hubers, right, was the first player in Germany to be diagnosed. Reuters
Paderborn's Luca Kilian tested positive. The Bundesliga has been suspended until April 2. EPA
Paderborn's Luca Kilian tested positive. The Bundesliga has been suspended until April 2. EPA
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