Multiple Members of Team Aster Tested Positive for COVID-19

Team Aster have announced that multiple members of their Dota 2 team as well as some members of their staff have been tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of The International 10. Thus the team, who is currently in Romania, has self-isolated from other participants of the event.

Among those who tested positive for COVID-19 are three players of the team, Ye "Borax" Zhibiao, Lin "Xxs" Jing, and Du "Monet" Peng, as well as their coach Cheng "Mad" Han. On top of that, the team’s manager and video staff have also been tested positive. According to the organization’s statement, everyone affected is asymptomatic and mildly ill.

While The International 10 starts only on October 7th, non-Western teams were asked by PGL to come to Romania earlier. At the same time, apparently the organizers did not provide any support to the teams. Due to this, Aster’s manager had to leave the hotel to purchase daily necessities for his team.

The other Chinese participants of TI10 are currently in the same hotel as Team Aster. Elephant, Vici and IG have announced that their players and staff tested negative for COVID-19. PSG.LGD have not released any comments.

The International 10 will be played in Romania’s capital, Bucharest. The tournament’s group stage will be played remotely on October 7th – 10th. Meanwhile the main event will be held on October 12th – 17th at Arena Nationala with live audience. To enter the stadium, viewers need to be fully vaccinated and wear masks. While the tickets went on sale last week, they are still available – in previous year, tickets for The Internationals used to be sold within minutes.