KKR's Tim Seifert tests positive for COVID-19, to be treated in Chennai hospital

Kolkata Knight Riders’ wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert, has tested positive for COVID-19 in his pre-departure tests and will not travel with the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) New Zealand contingent on the charter flight back home. He is currently in isolation in Ahmedabad.

Seifert is the third player from the KKR camp to have test positive for the virus, after Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier.

Seifert is expected to be transferred to Chennai for treatment, in the same private hospital where Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey has been staying since testing positive for COVID-19.

As per New Zealand Cricket's statement, Seifert failed both his pre-departure RT-PCR tests and is currently experiencing "moderate symptoms". The statement also noted that he had "returned seven negative tests in the 10 days leading up to his pre-departure protocols". 

"Once Seifert has undergone treatment and the statutory period of isolation and has tested negative for COVID-19, he will be transferred back to New Zealand where he will undergo the mandatory 14-day period of managed isolation," the NZC statement added.

"It's really unfortunate for Tim and we'll do everything for him that we can from this end, and hopefully he will be able to test negative, and be cleared and approved for discharge as soon as he's well again," David White, New Zealand Chief Executive, said. "Since receiving the news, we've organised support for Tim and have also - via the players association, been in contact with his family to ensure they're kept fully informed and updated on developments," he added.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, New Zealand’s Test team quartet Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, and physio Tommy Simsek, who were placed in a mini bio-secure bubble in New Delhi, have moved to the Maldives enroute to England for the WTC final.

Black Caps’ trainer Chris Donaldson, who had earlier hinted at returning home via one of the New Zealand-bound charter flights before flying to England, has now opted to remain with the UK-bound players and is also in the Maldives.