3 Chinese epee fencing team members test positive for COVID-19

Three athletes of the Chinese epee fencing team tested positive for the novel coronavirus. They are being treated in Beijing and are recovering from their mild symptoms, the Chinese Fencing Association said on Friday.

The athletes were competing in a tournament in Hungary from March 6 to 8, and returned home on March 16. Three athletes out of the 13-member sport delegation tested positive for the virus when entering the Chinese border.

This marked the first reported infected cases of athletes from the Chinese mainland. Earlier this week, Hong Kong karateka Lee Chun Ho also tested positive for the virus.

The fencing team was touring around the world in the past few months, and planned to return home after finishing the qualifying match for the Olympics that runs from March 22 to 24. However, the match was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19.