Hopes of a resumption of the Serie A season have taken a double blow with both Fiorentina and Sampdoria returning multiple positive COVID-19 tests.

The Italian government has allowed players train individually ahead of a potential return to action.

Players and backroom staff across Serie A are also being tested for coronavirus.

The Italian top flight was suspended after the March 10 round of matches, but it's hoped it can resume in June.

Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora is hopeful of group training starting up again on May 18, "I hope the problems have been resolved and that we can resume on May 18, as long as that is compatible with the evolution of the pandemic over the next 10 days, with training not just for football teams, but all sporting disciplines."

However, Thursday evening's news from Genoa and Florence is unlikely to hasten a return.

Sampdoria say that three new coronavirus cases have been confirmed among their squad. While a fourth player whose test previously returned negative has now shown as positive.

Samp say of the players, "Currently asymptomatic, they have been placed in quarantine and will be constantly monitored, as per protocol."

The Genovese side were among the hardest hit by the initial wave of the virus.

Striker Manolo Gabbiadini was the second player in Serie A to go public with their diagnosis, but subsequent to that Samp had to stop updating new cases as there were so many.

Meanwhile, at Fiorentina, six individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.

Three players and three staff members have been isolated from the rest of the squad who are due to begin training tomorrow.

La Viola trio Patrick Cutrone, German Pezzella and Dusan Vlahovic had already tested positive last week.

There has been good news among certain clubs on Thursday.

Lecce's entire squad showed negative results to their tests, while Juventus' Paulo Dybala announced his recovery on Wednesday.