A record 103 positive COVID-19 cases were found among players and staff in the Premier League over the past week, the league said on Monday following a raft of fixture postponements during the busy festive period.

Premier League: A whopping 103 COVID-19 cases recorded previous week among staff and players

COVID-19 cases in the visiting teams have forced the postponement of the Liverpool v Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers v Watford games scheduled for Boxing Day, the Premier League announced on Thursday.

Premier League: Liverpool v Leeds, Wolves v Watford games postponed amid rise in COVID-19 cases

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson said player welfare is not being taken seriously enough following the Premier League`s decision to continue playing despite a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Player welfare not taken seriously: Liverpool's Jordan Henderson reacts as PL continues amid Covid scare

Aston Villa's home match with Burnley has been postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Villa squad, leaving just one Premier League fixture on the schedule for Saturday.

Premier League: Aston Villa's game against Burnley postponed due to more COVID-19 cases

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was forced to cancel a pre-match press conference on Friday after returning an inconclusive coronavirus test result. Guardiola must now await the result of a follow-up PCR test before finding out if he will be able to lead the English champions for Sunday's trip to Newcastle.

Manchester City's Boss Pep Guardiola cancels press conference after inconclusive COVID-19 test

Unless the Premier League fixture list is further decimated by the COVID-19 surge that has ripped the pre-Christmas schedule to shreds the three-way title race will continue on Sunday with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all in action.

Premier League title race to continue despite increase in COVID-19 cases

Leicester City's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday and Manchester United`s home clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday have been postponed as rising COVID-19 cases threaten to play havoc with the season.

Premier League: Leicester, Manchester United games postponed as COVID-19 plays havoc in schedule

With as many as 18 COVID-19 positive results in the latest round of Premier League testing, calls are being made for the English top-flight league to take a break for a couple of weeks.

Will the Premier League get suspended? Here's everything you need to know

The Premier League on Tuesday confirmed that a total of 18 tests for COVID-19, out of 1479 players and club staff, returned positive between December 21 and 27. All the players or club staff, who have tested positive for coronavirus, will undergo a self-isolation period for 10 days.

Premier League: 18 new positive COVID-19 cases from latest round of testing