FOUR North Melbourne players and caretaker coach Leigh Adams have tested positive to COVID-19.

The team played in Tasmania on Saturday afternoon, and the affected quintet tested positive on RATs on Sunday after returning to Melbourne.

At this stage, North Melbourne expects Adams to coach against Essendon on Sunday, and the players affected will be tested later in the week as to whether they will be fit to play.

All players and staff who travelled to Tasmania stayed away from the club on Monday, with training to resume on Tuesday.

The AFLW side also travelled to Tasmania for a community camp, but their schedule was unaffected as they do not train on Mondays.