England netball head coach Jess Thirlby won't be coming to New Zealand for the side's test series against the Silver Ferns after testing positive for coronavirus.
The England team flew out to New Zealand on Thursday (NZ time) without Thirlby and will quarantine for two weeks on arrival ahead of the matches, which start on October 28.
Thirlby says she has shown no symptoms of the virus, but is self-isolating as a precaution.
Kat Ratnapala will take over as head coach while the team is in New Zealand, but Thirlby will continue to work remotely with the team.
Ratnapala will be assisted by Colette Thomson, who played a vital role in helping England win Commonwealth Games gold in 2018.
"I am extremely disappointed to not be travelling with the Roses," said Thirlby.
"We have been taking every precaution: remaining in small bubbles during training, having staff wear masks at all times, as well as players wearing masks when not on court, social distancing, doing temperature checks on arrival, plus self-isolating at home and undergoing a pre-flight testing plan prior to travelling.
"Whilst I'm still awaiting my second set of test results, we cannot take any risks as the safety of all involved is the priority.
"I have to date not shown any symptoms of COVID-19 so this result has come as a shock.
"However, I am thankful that we have a strong team in place to help support the squad in person."
Before facing England for the Taini Jamison Trophy, the Silver Ferns will take part in the Cadbury Netball Series in Palmerston North where they'll face NZ A, the NZ U20 and NZ Men, which starts on October 21.
Silver Ferns squad: Karin Burger, Gina Crampton, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Maddy Gordon, Kelly Jury, Claire Kersten, Bailey Mes, Kimiora Poi, Katrina Rore, Shannon Saunders, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Whitney Souness, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson
England Roses squad: Jade Clarke, Halimat Adio, Imogen Allison, Serena Guthrie, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, Yasmin Parsons, Vicki Oyesola, Amy Carter, Gabriella Marshall, Razia Quashie, George Fisher, Fran Williams, Jodie Gibson, Eleanor Cardwell, Laura Malcolm, Kadeen Corbin
