Canadiens’ Ouellet, Jets’ Bitetto say they tested positive for COVID-19

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Xavier Ouellet explains his bizarre positive test result for COVID-19, and then the subsequent negative tests that immediately followed, with never showing any symptoms.

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Xavier Ouellet and Winnipeg Jets defenceman Anthony Bitetto have both confirmed that they tested positive for COVID-19.

Ouellet told Montreal reporters at training camp that he initially tested negative for the coronavirus but then had a positive result despite not having symptoms.

“I had zero symptoms, there was not one point where I felt sick or anything,” Ouellet said. “I don’t really know if I actually had it or not. But the protocols with the league and the governments are pretty strict and they’re there to keep it safe for everyone. So I had to isolate myself and wait a little bit before I could come back which is what I did. But since that positive test I’ve tested negative every day and felt healthy, zero symptoms.”

The 26-year-old missed the opening of training camp and made his return on Wednesday.

Bitetto said he tested positive for COVID-19 on June 24 and did have symptoms but was fortunate that things were not more serious.

The 30-year-old added that he finished a 29-day quarantine period and had no hesitation returning once cleared by team doctors.

“I had very mild symptoms, I had shortness of breath, but otherwise there wasn’t really much to it for me,” he said. “I was pretty lucky with not having to deal with a lot of the more serious symptoms.”

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