Newcastle United's preparations for their trip to Aston Villa have already been disrupted after two further employees returned positive COVID-19 tests over the weekend.
Steve Bruce previously confirmed that three individuals, including a first-teamer who would have played, had been self-isolating ahead of the Magpies' win against Crystal Palace on Friday night.
Now, it has emerged that another two employees, whose names have not been publicised out of respect, have tested positive for COVID-19.
It is not exactly clear when the original outbreak happened at the training ground, and whether it was a result of players being away on international duty, but the club have seen a rise in cases in the last couple of weeks.
Newcastle have had the same protocols in place for eight months, which had been working well, but Bruce previously admitted he was 'a bit anxious' as the Magpies tried to manage the outbreak.
"We're trying our utmost to make sure that we try and stay as safe as we can," he told reporters on Zoom after the 2-0 win against Crystal Palace.
"My concern is not only the welfare of the players in this, which is vitally important, but my members of staff, too, which is vitally important for everyone. We'll do our best but it's difficult at the moment, that's for sure."
Newcastle were without the injured Allan Saint-Maximin, Jamaal Lascelles and Andy Carroll against Palace while Isaac Hayden and Emil Krafth were also not included in the match day squad.
With the outbreak affecting members of Bruce's staff, too, Ben Dawson has filled in and the club's head of coaching sat on the bench against Chelsea and Palace.
