The Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) has revealed that nine members of its delegation to the just concluded World U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, have tested positive for COVID-19.

As a consequence, they will be forced to remain in quarantine in Kenya until September 2 when they will most likely be allowed to travel back to Jamaica. According to the JAAA, all nine individuals are asymptomatic.

According to a statement released earlier today, “four tested positive earlier in the week (last week) while five more persons tested positive in the final set of tests that were done before travelling today (August 23)”. 

Jamaica team medical staff have remained with the nine persons and they will be accompanied home by senior staff including the medical personnel who have also remained with the group. 

 The main body of athletes and staff are now on their way home, the JAAA said.

Jamaica won 11 medals at the championships that concluded on Sunday.

The announcement of the positive tests confirms rumours that circulated late last week and were further fueled by the unexplained absence of several athletes from finals for which they had qualified.

Seven of the medals were won on Sunday’s final day when the girls 4x100m relay team set a new world record of 42.94. The 11 medals – three gold, six silver and three bronze – is the second best medal haul by Jamaica at the championships.