The Chelsea boss urged fans to call older relatives and vulnerable people (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has made an impassioned plea for fans to ‘take care of each other’ during the coronavirus pandemic and says Callum Hudson-Odoi is doing well after testing positive.

The west London club have been self-isolating since Friday after Hudson-Odoi became the first Premier League player to be diagnosed with Covid-19, with all professional football in England suspended soon after.

Chelsea’s training complex at Cobham was shut down so it could be deep-cleaned, and all players and staff who came into contact with Hudson-Odoi asked to self-isolate.

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The club say Cobham has now reopened for those who are not self-isolating, while players have been sent indoor exercise bikes, nutrition plans and fitness programmes to maintain their condition during the two weeks of self-isolation.




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Lampard says Hudson-Odoi is feeling good again after his coronavirus diagnosis, while he insists football must come secondary to staying healthy and encouraged supporters to listen to government advice and help out anyone who may be vulnerable.

‘I’m happy to say that in Callum’s case, he has made great progress and almost feels his usual self, which is obviously the news we all want to hear,’ Lampard told the club’s official website.

‘I am of course aware that not everyone can or will recover from this virus, so I urge all of the football and sporting community to continue to act responsibly and look out for the health of others.

‘I want to make it clear that I am no medical expert when it comes to challenging times such as these but please do take the time to call older relatives and vulnerable people who might be alone, or offer to drop round shopping if they can’t get out. Let’s make sure we all take care of each other.

The Chelsea squad have been self-isolating after Hudson-Odoi tested positive for Covid-19 (Getty)

‘Social distancing can leave us feeling isolated, however we can continue to support each other even if that means doing it remotely.

‘Of course we still don’t know when competitive football will restart, but it isn’t worth worrying about that too much at the moment.

‘We all miss football, but right now it’s about acting responsibly and in the best interests of society. I am sure I wasn’t the only one who found myself in a strange place with no sport this weekend, but ultimately none of that matters when we consider the bigger picture.’

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