Donovan Mitchell is 2nd Utah Jazz to test positive for coronavirus, media reports say
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell has tested positive for coronavirus a day after teammate Rudy Gobert’s diagnosis was confirmed, according to media reports.
The Jazz said their players and personnel were all tested after Gobert’s positive test.
Mitchell, a former University of Louisville star, was the only additional player to test positive, The Athletic’s Shams Charania said.
“We are working closely with the CDC, Oklahoma and Utah state officials, and the NBA to monitor their health and determine the best path moving forward,” the Jazz said in a statement Thursday.
In an Instagram post Thursday afternoon, Mitchell thanked everyone who has supported him since the news of his positive test came out.
“We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realize that they need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the well being of those around them,” he said.
“I appreciate the authorities in Oklahoma who were helpful with the testing process and everyone from the @utahjazz who have been so supportive. I am going to keep following the advice of our medical staff and hope that we can all come together and be there for each other and our neighbors who need our help.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said Jazz players privately said Gobert “had been careless in the locker room touching other players and their belongings.”
Video showed Gobert purposefully touching microphones at a Jazz media availability this week.
Utah’s game at Oklahoma City on Wednesday was abruptly canceled minutes before tip-off. It was later revealed Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.
The NBA suspended its season Wednesday after Gobert positive test. It became the first U.S. professional league to suspend its season.
The NHL suspended its season Thursday due to the pandemic and the MLS did the same.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 10:28 AM with the headline "Donovan Mitchell is 2nd Utah Jazz to test positive for coronavirus, media reports say."