All Members of Team Aster Are Reportedly Sick with COVID-19

Citing Team Aster’s co-founder Xu "BurNIng" Zhilei, Tiffani 'Oling' Lim from the International Esports Federation (IESF) revealed that all ten members of the team have been tested positive for COVID-19. Earlier the organization announced three players, their coach, manager and members of media team being sick with the virus.

Team Aster are currently in a hotel in Bucharest, Romania, preparing for The International 10. The organization says that their player did not leave their hotel rooms, however their manager used to go outside to get necessary items for the team. Following first positive results, the team isolated itself and notified other Chinese teams about the situation. Everyone affected is reported to be either asymptomatic or slightly ill.

Other Chinese participants of The International 10 are located in the same hotel as Team Aster. Invictus Gaming have already announced that their offlaner Thiay "JT-" Jun Wen also tested positive for COVID-19, while Elephant and Vici Gaming stated that their members and staff members remain healthy. PSG.LGD players are reportedly isolated in their rooms, do not use air-conditioning and avoid any contact with outsiders.

The International 10 is slated to be played on October 7th – 17th in Bucharest, Romania. The tournament’s playoffs will be played at Arena Nationala with live audience – to visit the stadium, fans must be fully vaccinated and wear masks. Currently the country sees record numbers of new COVID-19 cases.