Just days after it was reported four members of the Brooklyn Nets tested positive for coronavirus, three members of the Philadelphia 76ers organization have also tested positive, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Three members of the 76ers organization have received positive tests for coronavirus.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 19, 2020
It remains unclear whether these “members” are players, coaches or “specific basketball operations support staff,” which were the three groups tested according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Sixers tested players, coaches, and specific basketball operations support staff, team says. The three positive tests came out of that grouping. https://t.co/rGiAUEv8GZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 19, 2020
The pandemic continues to impact numerous personnel throughout league circles, which is why the league's actions on Thursday are so imperative.
League officials announced the closure of every single training facility throughout the NBA, encouraging players and coaches to remain in their market and isolate as much as possible.
Teams were informed today in a memo about facilities closing –with players being encouraged to take aggressive measures to continue to avoid contact with others and remain home as much as possible. https://t.co/3OedPb4qFt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 19, 2020
The news also comes one day after Commissioner Adam Silver appeared on ESPN to discuss the league's approach to the suspension of play, criticism from the outside world and their cooperation with public health officials (via Ramona Shelburne of ESPN):
“I, of course, understand [de Blasio's] point in that it's unfortunate we're at this position as a society where it's triage when it comes to testing,” Silver said. “And so the fundamental issue is obviously there are insufficient tests. I'd only say in the case of the NBA, we've been following the recommendations of public health officials.”
Indeed, the coronavirus is impacting a number of different people in sports.
Multiple minor league players with the New York Yankees have tested positive, and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton became the first known positive case in NFL circles.
Hopefully, the increasing number of cases will only lead to more intense observance of quarantine mandates.