EPL reports surge in COVID-19 cases as country enters strict lockdown

The Premier League has uncovered 40 COVID-19 cases from 2,295 tests conducted on players and club staff between Dec. 28 and Jan. 3.

That's the highest number of positives the league has reported from a single week of testing. The previous round of checks - between Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 - revealed 18 cases.

On Monday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that a third national lockdown would begin in England on Tuesday. The tough stay-at-home order won't be reviewed until at least mid-February, but elite sport can continue under the restrictions.

"With low numbers of positive tests across the overwhelming majority of clubs, the league continues to have confidence in its COVID-19 protocols, fully backed by the government, to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled," the Premier League said Tuesday.

Sunday's meeting between Burnley and Fulham was the fourth Premier League fixture to be postponed due to COVID-19 this season after the latter club reported a rise in cases. The issues at sides like Fulham, along with Newcastle United and Manchester City, have increased pressure on the Premier League to go on hiatus to help combat the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, the English Football League - the organization which oversees the Championship, League One, and League Two - has been dealing with a considerable COVID-19 outbreak. On Monday alone, each of its eight scheduled matches was called off for coronavirus-related reasons.