MORE than 100 people across the EFL were found to have coronavirus in this week's mandatory tests.

There were 112 positive results out of the 3,507 swabs taken from players and staff at 66 clubs, while the other six teams will be tested ahead of their next league fixtures.

It is understood almost a third of the positive tests centred on just three clubs, with most sides averaging one or two cases.

Oxford United's entire first-team squad recorded negative results, with one member of support staff testing positive.

But Shrewsbury Town, for example, were forced to postpone tomorrow's Emirates FA Cup third round tie against Southampton after up to ten players were found to have the virus.

Karl Robinson: Oxford United are first club to face up to Covid 'breach'

Those who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days in line with government guidance.

The EFL’s medical advisors Dr Richard Higgins and Dr.Subhashis Basu said: “Today’s results reflect the current speed at which the virus is spreading amid the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19, but the low reported numbers across the overwhelming majority of Clubs means we remain confident that our protocols continue to mitigate against the spread of infection as intended.

“The protocols, supported by the Clubs and government, are allowing us to continue playing fixtures as scheduled but we cannot be complacent, which is why recently enhanced matchday and non-matchday COVID protocols have been issued to underpin the re-introduction of a League wide testing programme which commences next week.

“Medical advice continues to support that following these protocols is the most successful route to mitigating against the spread of infection.”

Read also: Regular testing to begin in EFL

The EFL moves to regular twice-weekly Covid-19 testing from next week, which is being funded by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

It comes after the organisation tightened social distancing protocols for clubs in an attempt to prevent the virus spreading.