T1 staff and players get tested for COVID-19 after employee tests positive

T1 is a South Korean-based esports powerhouse that fields teams and players across several different titles, including Valorant, Apex Legends, Fortnite and several others. Most notable, however, is their League of Legends roster, which won the LCK 2021 Regional Finals earlier this month. This win ultimately secured them the third and final spot for Korea at the Worlds 2021 Main Event starting on 11th October.

This year's Worlds 2021 will take place in Iceland and is regarded as a prestigious tournament for League of Legends players. It is, therefore, unfortunate news to hear that the entire T1 squad (including both staff and players) have had to go for COVID-19 tests after a staff member tested positive for the virus.

All T1 staff and players go for COVID tests after employee tests positive

T1 made the announcement via their official Twitter page on 17th September at 6:22 AM BST, which read: "Earlier today, T1 was notified that an employee was tested positive for COVID-19."

The statement continued to assure fans that neither of the T1 staff nor players has started to show any symptoms, but emphasized that everyone would be tested. "Everyone will be going to the nearest health centre to get tested for the safety of the teams and the company," the statement read.

T1 notes that: "The situation has been communicated internally, and [T1] will make sure to update the fans and the community about the situation."

Understandably, the threat of being unable to compete at Worlds 2021 would be undoubtedly shattering to players Kim "Canna" Chang-Dong, Moon "Oner" Hyeon-Joon, Lee "Faker" Sang-Hyeok, Lee "Gumayusi" Min-Hyeong and Ryu "Keria" Min-Seok. If either player were to have contracted the virus then it is highly likely that they will not be allowed to enter Iceland and compete at the Worlds 2021 Main Event.

Fans have poured out their support to the team in hopes that they are all safe.

Well handled guys. Hope everyone is well and the team and staff can travel safely to Europe for Worlds 🙌

— Niarra (@Niarra__) September 17, 2021

Another Twitter user said the following:

OMG NO, we're so closed to worlds😭 hope the best for the employee to not get too sick and for the players to not be sick🙏

— EX9 Team Lunar 🌚 (@B1xing) September 17, 2021

Hopefully, the rest of the T1 squad return negative COVID-19 PCR tests and will be able to resume their training ahead of Worlds 2021 next month. We'll be sure to update you regarding further developments with the team.

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Feature image courtesy of T1.