Cover-Credits:
Team Aster is currently facing a pretty tough situation because its entire contingent that traveled to Bucharest, Romania for The International 10 (TI10) has allegedly tested positive for COVID-19. Team Aster had communicated on 29th Sept 2021 that three of its Dota 2 roster players and two staff members were positive. However, in a surprising development the organization’s founder, Xu "BurNIng" Zhilei has allegedly stated that all 10 members of Team Aster’s TI10 contingent (including players, coaches, management) have tested positive for COVID-19. An official announcement from Team Aster regarding this matter is expected to be released shortly.
All 10 members of Team Aster have allegedly tested positive for COVID-19
Prominent Malaysian Dota 2 personality Tiffani “Oling” Lim stated on Twitter that BurNIng had alleged that all members of the organization currently in Bucharest, including the five roster players, have tested positive for the virus.
Earlier, three of Team Aster’s players namely Du "Monet" Peng, Lin "Xxs" Jing, and Ye "Borax" Zhibiao (aka "BoBoKa") and two staff members had tested positive for COVID-19. Liu "White Album" Yuhao and Zhang "LaNm" Zhicheng were the only two players on the roster who had not been infected then.
Interestingly, LaNm had bashed PGL, the organizer of TI10 along with Valve, later for putting on a modest bootcamp in Bucharest that lacked basic amenities. He deleted most of these posts, however.
In a statement earlier today, Team Aster apologized to PGL for these complaints via a Weibo post, claiming LaNm had been unaware of the contract they had signed with PGL.
It is important to note that all five Chinese teams - Team Aster, Invictus Gaming (IG), PSG.LGD, Vici Gaming, and Elephant - are lodging at the same hotel in Bucharest at the moment. There is a serious concern regarding the well being of the other three Chinese teams, especially considering the fact that IG’s offlaner had tested positive earlier today.
The Chinese teams have suspended their practice sessions and are currently in isolation in order to protect themselves from the virus. PSG.LGD has allegedly gone a mile further and has allegedly switched off AC ventilation, and taken several other measures to protect themselves against the virus.
These positive cases come as Romania faces a difficult situation characterized by a dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases over the past week. There are just a few days left until TI10, which will be held from 7th to 17th Oct 2021.
