Chelsea have confirmed that Callum Hudson-Odoi has tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus and as a result Frank Lampard, the coaching staff and senior squad have all self-isolated.
The Blues were set to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday March 14 but given that the UK government guidelines recommend a 14-day period of isolation it is unlikely that the game will go ahead.
An emergency meeting to discuss the Premier League's reaction to Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is set to take place on the morning of March 13.
Hudson-Odoi's own diagnosis, and the self-isolation of the Chelsea first team squad and their coaches will now also be a key talking point as the league considers how to respond.
Pressure has been growing on the English football authorities to consider taking games behind closed doors and banning fans from stadiums or even suspending the competition.
More than 50 members of staff have self-isolated at Arsenal following the confirmation that Arteta has contracted coronavirus while three Leicester City players have also taken similar precautions.
Benjamin Mendy is also understood to be in self-isolation after a family member of the Manchester City defender was taken ill with coronavirus.
In a statement on their official website Chelsea said: "Chelsea men’s team player Callum Hudson-Odoi had a positive test result for Coronavirus returned this evening. Chelsea personnel who had recent close contact with the player in the men’s team building will now self-isolate in line with Government health guidelines.
"These will include initially the full men’s team squad, coaching staff and a number of backroom staff.
"It is expected that those who did not have close contact with Callum will return to work in the coming days.
"In the meantime, the men’s team building, one of several separate buildings at our training ground, will remain closed. The rest of our training facility, Stamford Bridge and our other facilities are operating as normal.
"Callum displayed symptoms similar to a mild cold on Monday morning and has not been at the training ground since then as a precaution.
"However, his test came in positive this evening and he will undergo a period of self-isolation. Despite testing positive for the virus, Callum is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible.
"We will continue to adhere to Government and Public Health Guidelines with regard to our facilities and staff and will be discussing next steps with regards to upcoming fixtures with the Premier League on Friday morning. We will provide further updates as necessary via the club’s website.
"We wish Callum a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the club soon."
Chelsea were also scheduled to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on March 18 and Leicester in the FA Cup on March 21.
Based on government guidelines, these matches are also at serious risk of postponement.
It is recommended that anyone who comes into contact with a person who has coronavirus enters into a 14-day period of self-isolation.
Chelsea's next three fixtures in all competitions fall within this 14-day period, with fans having already received refunds for tickets to Munich after the game was moved behind closed doors.
