Raptors test negative for COVID-19; were last opponents of Jazz
Coronavirus tests for members of the Toronto Raptors' travel party have come back negative, with one person's result still pending, the team announced Friday night.
The Raptors were the last team to face the Utah Jazz and stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, who have since tested positive for the virus.
In a statement, the Raptors said their entire travel party from the game Monday night in Salt Lake City was tested for the coronavirus on Wednesday. The team went on to say, however, that those who were asked to remain in self-isolation for 14 days will continue to do so, as recommended by Toronto Public Health in the wake of players finding out they had come in contact with a person known to have the virus that causes COVID-19.
Gobert's positive test led the NBA to suspend its regular season Wednesday night. On the heels of that news becoming public, Raptors players and coaches spent that evening scrambling to get tested.
"We will all practice social distancing and good hand hygiene, and -- most importantly -- carefully monitor our health," the Raptors said in the statement.
"We continue to be in close contact with public health authorities and infectious disease experts, and are very grateful for their guidance. As always, we appreciate the support of our fans, families, and friends."
The NBA announced Thursday that the league would be halted for a 30-day period, at which point the possibility of resuming activities would be revisited. In an interview with TNT on Thursday night, NBA commissioner Adam Silver didn't rule out the possibility that the entire season could be canceled, depending on how things develop over the next few weeks and months.
"Of course, the issue becomes now, what we determined today, is that this hiatus will be most likely at least 30 days," Silver said. "And we don't know enough to be more specific than that. But we wanted to give direction to our players and teams and fans that this is going to be roughly at least a month.
"But then the question becomes is there a protocol frankly with or without fans in which we can resume play," Silver continued. "I think the goal [is] ... what makes sense here without compromising anyone's safety. It's frankly too early to tell."
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