Three Irish players – Paul Stirling, Shane Getkate and George Dockrell – tested positive for Covid-19. They are currently in mandatory 10-day quarantine in Florida, and are set to miss at least the first ODI of the three-match series against West Indies, starting 8 January in Jamaica.
All three are likely to rejoin the squad on 9 January, subject to subsequent PCR tests showing negative results. However, Andy Balbirnie and Andy McBrine, who were previously listed as close contacts of Covid-19 positive cases, are likely to join the squad on 2 January.
‘A managed environment is different to a bio-bubble, and is an approach being used currently to try and find that balance between risk mitigation from the virus and impacts of sustained periods of isolation on the mental and physical health needs of players and staff,’ said Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland's performance director.
Ireland's three-match ODI series against the USA was called off at short notice after several positive cases in both camps. Ireland are due to fly to Jamaica on 31 December for three ODIs and a T20I. All four matches will be played behind closed doors.