Fernando Gaviria was released from hospital in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. The Colombian was quarantined for weeks because he had been infected with the corona virus.
Gaviria participated in the Tour of the United Arab Emirates with his UAE Emirates team at the end of February. The WorldTour course was shortened by two trips, as two Italian staffers were infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Later it turned out that several riders had come into contact with them. All cycling teams had to stay in the hotel to be tested and were not allowed to leave until it was clear that they were not infected with the virus.
Gaviria confirmed on March 12 that he is one of the riders who do have the corona virus among its members. The multiple stage winner in the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia has since been treated at the hospital, which he left after two weeks.
“The final tests were negative, so the doctors let me go,” Gaviria wrote on Instagram. “I want to thank the team in the hospital for their great work and commitment. Now I hope to return home soon. Hopefully this situation will be over soon and everything will return to normal.”
It is not yet known when Gaviria will return to the peloton. The cycling races of the coming period have all been canceled due to the worldwide outbreak of the corona virus. If the Tour de France continues as usual, Gaviria will start there.
Follow the latest developments around the virus in the sports world in us live blog.
The coronavirus in short
- The coronavirus mainly spreads from person to person via sneezing and cough drops. The chance of becoming infected through surfaces such as door handles is small. This chance decreases if you wash your hands often.
- You can considerably reduce the chance of spreading by keeping at least 1.5 meters away from others.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. Precautions are necessary to contain this.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) complaints.
- Almost all deaths involve the elderly or other vulnerable persons, such as heart, lung or diabetes patients. If everyone complies with the measures, this reduces their risks.
- Read here what precautions you should take.
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