Gold Coast's AFLW squad are understood to be battling to piece together a squad for Saturday night's Qclash with Brisbane at Metricon Stadium.
The Suns have already endured a fight with the virus this season, with several players having tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the new year shortly ahead of their club's opening bout of the home and away season against Greater Western Sydney.
The Queensland club entered the 2022 campaign with an already compromised list, falling to the Giants to the tune of 15 points.
After welcoming the returns of players from their stint under the AFL's health and safety protocols, the Suns were able to snap their 672-day winless spell with a triumphant outing against the Eagles in Round 2.
However, the Suns' fortunes are understood to be shifting one again, with CODE's Daniel Cherny reporting that Cameron Joyce's squad has been hit by another outbreak of COVID-19.
While the club's clash with cross-town rivals Brisbane hasn't been postponed yet, fears are growing as to whether the Suns can run out this weekend with adequate numbers.
It is understood that both players and staff have tested positive for the virus, which may see the AFLW have to postpone its second game of the season.
Last week the league swapped fixtures between the Bulldogs and Cats, and Blues and Lions, with Geelong and Carlton clashing on Saturday night while the Dogs and Lions had their Round 2 fixtures put on hold due to a rise in COVID cases for the Whitten Oval club.
The Suns will need to have 16 primary listed players, along with five top-up players, deemed fit for Saturday's match in order to play against Brisbane.