Diana Farkhutdinova, Angelina Goncharenko, Olga Sosina, Yekaterina Nikolayeva, Liana Ganeyeva] and Lyudmila Belyakova were forced to miss the ROC’s opener against Switzerland after returning the positive results the day before.

Head coach Yevgeny Babariko confirmed the six players had gone into isolation, raising doubts over whether they will be able to feature in their group matches.

Despite the setback, ROC defeated Switzerland 5-2 and are now due to face the United States today, Canada on Monday (February 7) and Finland on Tuesday (February 8) in Group A.

The ROC men's team were due to face Latvia in a warm-up match today. 

But the meeting was cancelled after seven Latvian players tested positive, according to Russia's official state news agency TASS.

COVID-19 cases have also disrupted the United States’ men’s team’s final preparations.

Defencemen Jake Sanderson and Steven Kampfer and forward Andy Miele have all tested positive.

Sanderson has yet to leave the US, while Kampfer and Miele are isolating at the Athletes’ Village here.

USA Hockey remains hopeful the trio will be available for the tournament, which is due to start on Wednesday (February), with America set to play hosts China the following day.

Last week, Switzerland and Canada cancelled a warm-up match for the men’s ice hockey competition as a precaution, after the former reported its third positive COVID-19 case in the space of seven days.

Swiss defenceman Christian Marti tested positive for COVID-19 in routine testing, according to a statement from the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation.

Goaltender Joren van Pottelberghe and forward Sven Senteler had to be replaced after contracting coronavirus.

Finnish striker Marko Anttila is isolating at the Games after being infected by the virus.

The Swedish and Danish men's ice hockey teams have also had positive COVID-19 cases which have affected preparations.