Taiwanese badminton star Chou Tien-chen (???) has tested positive for COVID-19, his friend confirmed Wednesday.

According to the friend, who declined to be named, Chou revealed via LINE message that he tested positive in England after competing at the prestigious All England Open in Birmingham.

After losing to world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in straight sets in the men's singles semifinal on March 19, Chou was ready to return to Taiwan, but tested positive for the virus before his departure.

Chou tested positive for COVID-19 after taking a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test required before boarding a flight home, the friend said.

The player remains relatively upbeat despite contracting COVID-19 and is currently experiencing only mild flu-like symptoms, the friend said.

As COVID-19 is now treated like flu in the United Kingdom, Chou is quarantined inside a hotel and not a hospital, according to the friend who indicated that the badminton player has rescheduled his return to Taiwan for April.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel