The Oklahoma City Thunder vs Utah Jazz game is postponed. Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The NBA season is indefinitely suspended until further notice.

Seconds before tip-off of the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Utah Jazz game, a doctor came running onto court to deliver news to the referees. The referees deliberated and soon the OKC Announcer gave the news. The game was to be postponed. Shams Charania broke the news after the game was postponed that Rudy Gobert had tested positive for COVID-19.

The NBA had been deliberating with its owners and GMs whether to play in front of empty arenas, to postpone games, or to cancel altogether. Tonight the virus made their decision for them. With Rudy Gobert’s testing positive for the virus that would mean all personnel with the Jazz, players, coaches, and even Jazz broadcast media those riding on the plane have been exposed to the virus. The Utah Jazz played the Toronto Raptors on Monday, that would mean anyone who was near Utah Jazz personnel was exposed to the virus. Officials could have been exposed to the virus.

Two days ago, Rudy Gobert had jokingly touched everybody’s mics on the media stand while playfully making a joke about this nation wide story.

Those mics have been exposed to it. If you’re already starting to get dizzy from all the possible ways people have been infected by just one person, the NBA is too. Which is why the NBA decided without hesitation that the NBA has suspended the entire season. Games are done. Until further notice.

UPDATE 8:27PM March 11, 2020

The Utah Jazz have released the following statement:

This morning a player on the Utah Jazz tested negative for influenza, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. The individual’s symptoms diminished over the course of today, however, in a precautionary measure, and in consultation and cooperation with NBA medical staff and Oklahoma health officials, the decision was made to test for COVID-19.

A preliminary positive result came back right before tip-off of the Utah Jazz-Oklahoma City game. Subsequently, the decision was correctly made by the NBA to postpone the game. When it was determined that the individual would be tested, we immeditately informed the league office. The health and safety of our players, our organization, those throughout our league, and all those potentially impacted by this situation are paramount in our discussions.

We are working closely with the CDC, Oklahoma and Utah State officials and the NBA to determine how to best move forward as we gather more information. The indivudal is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City. In coordination with the NBA and state officials, we will provide updates at the appropriate time.

UPDATE 8:39PM March 11, 2020

Rudy Gobert reportedly was never at the arena, but he did travel to OKC.

Andy Larsen gives his thoughts about Rudy Gobert who is probably going to shoulder a lot of undue wisecracks and criticism with his diagnosis.

REACTION

What is there to say? This is scary. This isn’t normal life. Sports are usually an escape from the outside fears and right now everything is shutting down. I wrote the Downbeat on Monday about Coronavirus and the NBA plans as a sort of “Well, now it’s documented for site but we’ll laugh about it like Y2K,” but it doesn’t feel like that anymore. Utah Jazz personnel, players, media, fans, officials, and countless others have been put into contact with something that we have been minimizing like it’s the flu, but it’s not. It’s serious. It’s VERY serious now.

The Utah Jazz—who knows how many of them could have been spreading this virus—played in front of a packed house against the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors—THANK GOD—had some 4 day break in the schedule before their next game on Sunday so they didn’t spread it to another team, but this is crazy. It’s hard to wrap your mind around. Life is about to get far more disrupted and the NBA suspending their season is a sign that it’s only beginning.

I hope that everyone is okay. Utah Jazz beat reporters are going to be wondering if they have come in contact with it. Should they quarantine. I feel bad for Rudy. He’s going to get clowned for poking fun and touching those mics as if that was the real problem with this thing. We haven’t taken this pandemic seriously up until today. Jokes about how it’s like the flu, or it’s an overreaction seem stupid now. The NBA made the right call to suspend action, but honestly, hindsight being 20-20, this should have been done way sooner.

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Coronavirus Symptoms, How it Spreads, Prevention

Below you’ll find the CDC’s information for identifying symptoms, how COVID-19 spreads, and, most importantly, PREVENTION. More information than found below can be found at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Symptoms

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

⚠️ Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately.

How it is spread

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

• People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
• Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

PREVENTION

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.

CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.