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NBA Player Tests Positive For Coronavirus Days After Rudy Gobert Touches Every Mic In Conference

NBA Player Tests Positive For Coronavirus Days After Rudy Gobert Touches Every Mic In Conference

Now the NBA season has been suspended after the Utah Jazz player tested positive

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

The NBA season has been suspended following a positive coronavirus (Covid-19) test for a Utah Jazz player, days after Rudy Gobert jokingly touched all the microphones during a press conference, appearing to attempt to make a statement about the 'overreaction' to the coronavirus outbreak.

The league announced that it would be suspending action in a statement yesterday (11 March) which read: "The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminary tested positive for Covid-19. The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight's game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

"At that time, tonight's game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena.

"The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight's schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic."

Gobert jokingly touched all the microphones in a press conference.
Twitter

Just days before, Gobert (who plays for Utah Jazz) was making light of the situation when he touched all of the microphones and recording devices following a press conference.

Prior to the media conference, press had been banned from accessing locker rooms which meant players were required to fulfil their media obligations at the podium. This was when Gobert decided to fondle all the mics.

Yesterday (11 March) Utah Jazz tweeted that Gobert was ruled out due to 'illness'.

Sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that it is in fact Gobert that has tested positive for the virus, however Utah Jazz are yet to confirm the news.

In their statement, the team said: "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 immediately 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 individual 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."

It's okay to not panic. LADbible and UNILAD's aim with our campaign, Cutting Through, is to provide our community with facts and stories from the people who are either qualified to comment or have experienced first-hand the situation we're facing. For more information from the World Health Organisation on Coronavirus, click here.


Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Topics: SPORT, News, NBA