UDOH: Fans Who Attended Jazz/Raptors Game At Low Risk For Coronavirus
Mar 12, 2020, 9:46 PM | Updated: 10:14 pm
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Utah Department of Health officials said fans who attended Monday’s game between the Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors at Vivint Smart Home Arena are “at a low risk of developing symptoms” from the new coronavirus.
“Only individuals who have had close contact with the player who is confirmed to have COVID-19 are considered to be at risk for potentially developing symptoms of COVID-19,” officials said in a Q&A published Thursday. “In this case, close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of the player who has COVID-19 for an extended period of time, typically for 15 minutes or longer.”
Officials also said fans who may have high fived the player who tested positive for COVID-19 or caught a jersey or article of clothing from the player are not at risk.
“These types of contacts are not considered to be close personal contact with the player who has COVID-19,” UDOH officials said.
RELATED: Gobert Apologizes For Being ‘Careless’ About Coronavirus Prior To Testing Positive
Utah Jazz all-stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday. The team was in Oklahoma City ahead of a game against the Thunder, which was postponed after Gobert’s positive test was received.
The team returned to Salt Lake City on Thursday.
Dr. Angela Dunn, the state epidemiologist for the Utah Department of Health, said all members of the traveling party have tested negative for COVID-19 and were not experiencing any symptoms.
“The families and loved ones of Jazz players who have not had close contact with the two positive cases pose absolutely no risk to the general public,” Dunn said. “We have provided them with all the essential information and recommendations. The Utah Jazz are an important part of our community, and we appreciate their willingness to follow our advice and their desire to do what is best for Utah citizens.”
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