August. 18, 2020 - After the Croatia water polo team held preparations in Korcula from August 10 to 15, news has now broken that one player, Ante Vukicevic, tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Federation issued a statement, which is transmitted below. 

"The COVID-19 virus, which has unfortunately been present all over the world for half a year, did not bypass the Croatia water polo team, which was preparing on Korcula from August 10 to 15, with all the precautions taken.

All players and members of the professional staff have acted to prevent it, and in agreement with Dr. Krunoslav Capak, director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, a certain measure of isolation has been recommended, although some were not in close contact with the person who tested positive and is not part of the HVS delegation," the Croatian Water Polo Federation said in a statement.

Over the past 5 days, as the experts suggested, coronavirus testing was carried out, a positive result was found in the sample of national team member Ante Vukicevic, part of the results of several players was negative, while the test results of the remaining players and members of the professional staff are expected within 24 hours.

Incorrect information circulated in some media, and Barakuda coach Ivica Tucak released a statement to set the record straight:

"First of all, I kindly ask that misinformation not be spread. It is true that within the Croatia water polo team we have a player positive for the coronavirus, which unfortunately has infiltrated all sports and the rest of regular life all over the world. But the players of our water polo team were not, and could not have been, at any birthday party that is said to have spread the virus. Namely, it took place on August 6, and the national team only gathered on Korcula three days later, i.e., on the evening of August 9," coach Ivica Tucak began, and added:

"As part of the preparations and training on Korcula, on Wednesday, August 12, we played an exhibition match at an improvised swimming pool in the sea in front of Moro Beach bar in Stupa, where we had a short gathering with lunch organized for the Croatia national team in the open. Immediately after lunch, the national team returned to the hotel. Also, it is true that on Tuesday, August 11, we played an official friendly match against our junior national team, but not in the sea, but in the KPK pool in Korcula. On Friday, August 14, at a time when none of the players showed any symptoms of infection, but bearing in mind that some other people outside the national team, who were previously in contact with us, are now positive, we reacted promptly and responsibly by stopping training in Korcula.

A day later, on Saturday, August 15, in the morning in agreement with the Croatian Water Polo Federation and the Epidemiological Service, we disbanded the national team under strict supervision, not wanting to risk anything. It is important to note that no one has any symptoms, nor did they recommend any isolation measures due to the nature of the contact, but as a precaution, we entered self-isolation," Ivica Tucak concluded.

Source: HRT

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