The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Players not under quarantine
Love donates $100,000 toward arena employees
The Cavaliers on March 12 announced the team is not under a mandatory quarantine because of possible exposure to novel coronavirus, which contradicts a March 11 report from ESPN.
Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz have tested positive for COVID-19. Gobert, a 7-foot-1 center, played 44 minutes in a game with the Cavaliers on March 2 in Cleveland. Mitchell, a 6-foot-1 Jazz guard, played 34 minutes against the Cavs in the same game.
Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 on March 11. Mitchell tested positive a day later.
“None of our players have experienced COVID-19 symptoms thus far,” the Cavaliers said in a statement. “Should any of our players or basketball staff experience symptoms, they will be tested and undergo self-quarantine.
“Under the advisement of our medical experts, with league support, we are not currently under a mandatory quarantine. All employees are being advised on how to seek medical attention should they feel ill and experience symptoms, which can include being tested and selfquarantined.”
The Raptors, Celtics, Pistons and Knicks as well as the Cavaliers played the Jazz within the past 10 days.
The Raptors played the Jazz on March 9. The Raptors are being extra cautious and are quarantined because they played the Jazz so recently.
“Out of an abundance of caution, members of the Raptors traveling party have been tested for the virus,” the Raptors announced in a statement. “We await those results. Our players, coaches and traveling staff have all been advised to go into self-isolation for 14 days, which means minimizing contact in accordance with public health guidelines.”
The Cavaliers concluded a quarantine at this time is unnecessary because they played the Jazz a week earlier than Toronto did.
“Specifically related to the Cavaliers vs. Utah Jazz home game 10 days ago on March 2nd, again, risk of infection is felt to be relatively low at this point, given the date the game was played and the fact that none of our players or staff working in close proximity to the court and locker rooms have experienced any symptoms thus far,” the statement read. The NBA on March 11 suspended all games until further notice. The Cavaliers were scheduled to play in Charlotte on March 13. They did not make the trip.
“We are closely engaged with the league office, and our medical partners and experts as this unprecedented situation continues to evolve,” the Cavaliers statement reads. “We support the extraordinary measures being taken by the NBA.
“The health and safety of everyone that is part of the NBA community, including our fans, is always at the forefront and the highest priority. Following the direction from the NBA and our medical experts, we will continue to be closely connected to multiple health and safety experts and advisors as we navigate through this challenging and unique landscape.”
The Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse have established a “work from home” policy “for all employees with the exception of those essential to operate the core systems of Rocket Mortgage Field House,” according to the statement.
Love donates
Kevin Love announced on Instagram that he’s donating $100,000 to Rocket Mortgage Field House staff who will not be working because of canceled events.
“I hope that during this time of crisis, others will join me in supporting our communities,” Love wrote.