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Coronavirus and Sports

No Special Treatment For Jazz Despite Large Number Of Tests

Gobert's infection led to 58 people connected to the Jazz being tested for the coronavirusNBAE/GETTY IMAGES

An Oklahoma State Department of Health official said that the NBA "did not receive special treatment" for the Jazz to be tested for coronavirus in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY. OKDH spokesperson Jamie Dukes said that state officials were "prepared with test kits, and 58 people from the Jazz or with connections to the Jazz were tested because it was a 'public health decision' based on direct contact" with C Rudy Gobert, the first player to be diagnosed with the virus. Zillgitt noted while there is a national shortage of coronavirus tests, the "answer to how 58 people were tested while others have struggled to get tests is much simpler than the NBA using its financial resources to strong-arm agencies into testing." A source said that the decision to test the Raptors was "made by public health officials in Toronto with testing directed by those health officials." The source "called athletes, team personnel and traveling reporters 'super spreaders,' people who are often in direct contact with several other people especially in arenas with thousands of people." The source said, "Whenever there's an outbreak and you know you have these potential super spreaders who have the potential to be around a lot of people, you want to really get on top of that situation." Oklahoma City officials "wanted to know who had the virus and the potential for it to spread." The Thunder "did not have test kits procured and in their building at the ready." A source said that once Gobert tested positive, health officials "rushed to Chesapeake Energy Arena with kits and began testing" (USA TODAY, 3/14).

MITCHELL SPEAKS OUT: Jazz G Donovan Mitchell, who was the second NBAer to be diagnosed with coronavirus, appeared on ABC's "GMA" this morning from his self-quarantine, with co-host Robin Roberts asking if he has had a “chance to have any communication” with Gobert. Mitchell: “To be honest with you, it took awhile for me to kind of cool off. And I read what he said and I heard what he said, so I’m glad he’s doing okay. I’m glad I’m doing well." He said, “I could walk down the street if it wasn’t public knowledge that I was sick and you wouldn’t know it. That’s the scariest part of this virus, that you may seem fine, be fine and you never know you may be talking to, who they’re going home to.” He added he was glad more members of the organization did not contract the virus. Mitchell: "Neither he nor I have children at home. I have some teammates that have children, we have some staff that have children, so I’m glad we were able to contain it as much as possible” (“GMA,” ABC, 3/16).

RAPTORS ALL CLEAN: In Toronto, Doug Smith reported the "final test for coronavirus among those in the Raptors' travelling party came back negative," meaning all 50-plus members of the organization that made the road trip "have now been cleared." The Raptors played the Jazz in Salt Lake City on March 9. The "sheer size of the group and the timing" presented some "complicating factors" for the Raptors (TORONTO STAR, 3/14). Meanwhile, in Boston, Adam Himmelsbach cites a source as saying that the Celtics have been "undergoing tests" over the weekend following their game against the Jazz on March 6. The "general results are expected to be released publicly, without naming specific individuals" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/16).

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