The Carlton Football Club is on high alert with a positive COVID case linked to the AFL program.
In a statement released by the club, the Blues announced that their new CEO Brian, who is fully vaccinated, had tested positive for Covid-19.
Cook will need to isolate for the next 10 days as per the Victorian Government guidelines.
Due to the positive case, AFL players, administration staff and some football staff were also foreced to self-isolate and get tested.
These individuals and groups will not be able to return until they receive a negative test result.
The 66-year-old is said to be in good health and is not suffering from the severe symptoms of the virus.
The leading administrator also believes this highlights the importance of vaccinations, and how they help not only the public but medical professionals in getting back to some sort of normality.
“My main concern is the health and safety of our people. I sincerely appreciate all of them getting tested this afternoon at short notice,” Cook said within the club's statement.
“I am feeling okay, thankfully - which is further evidence of why it is so important for people to be vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is not only our way of getting back to our normal lives but is how each of us can play our part and return the favour to help the incredible health and medical professionals who have worked so tirelessly for all of us since the pandemic began."
“As we have seen across the competition this situation is simply now a reality and further emphasises why we have such clear protocols in place by the AFL to ensure our competition can continue to operate."
The mastermind behind both Geelong and West Coast's past successes signed off by stating he would be back at the helm in no time.
“Thank you to everyone who has already sent through their well-wishes, I will now isolate at home and once fully recovered, look forward to getting back to work.”
Not all of the club's programs have been caught up by the positive case, however.
Carlton's AFLW program will continue running after being cleared from exposure, with Daniel Harford's side currently preparing for the next season, hoping to have a bounce-back year after missing the finals in 2021.
The recruiting team was also not deemed close contacts and was able to attend last night's AFL Draft.
Still, new head coach Michael Voss was forced to remain at home as a precautionary measure.
Despite not holding a selection in the first round, the club's recruiters were keeping a close eye on proceedings, with the Blues featuring more prominently on the second night of the National Draft.
