In a press release just received, the OKC Thunder franchise announced results for players and staff tested for COVID-19 test were thankfully all negative.
Finally, we’ve heard back on the COVID-19 tests for the OKC Thunder players and staff — and thankfully all the tests were negative.
In a press release, the franchise sent out they noted the testing was done via independent infectious disease experts.
Notably, it was a week ago today the Utah Jazz were literally about to tip-off versus the OKC Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena when Rudy Gobert‘s test results came back positive. That evening the Thunder players were sequestered in the locker room and only tested for fever with the independent COVID-19 tests occurring the next day.
Since then the Utah Jazz announced Donovan Mitchell also tested positive. The Pistons who played the Jazz on Saturday, March 7th advised Christian Wood had also tested positive.
Great news for Thunder Nation--- All tests came back negative! #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/Cn48MnH0A7
— Thunderous Intentions (@thunderousint) March 18, 2020
As of yesterday (Tuesday) the Brooklyn Nets advised four players on their team tested positive although the only player they confirmed was Kevin Durant. Of that quartet, only one is displaying any symptoms with Durant and the other two asymptomatic.
The fact the Brooklyn Nets hadn’t played the Utah Jazz or Detroit Pistons within their last two week period added some relevance to how easily the virus is spread and that it wasn’t just isolated to patient zero (Rudy Gobert) if you will.
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After this news, I was getting messages requesting updates on the OKC Thunder and thankfully that news is of the positive variety with everyone testing negative. Notably, that doesn’t mean the OKC players won’t continue to practice safe distancing or self-quarantines they just haven’t either been exposed to the virus or contracted it.
As per the tweet above and from the press release:
"The Oklahoma City Thunder consulted with infectious disease experts for a recommendation on the players and staff who needed COVID-19 testing based on their exposure at the game on March 11. All results have come back negative.The Thunder will continue to work in coordination with team physicians, public health officials and infectious disease experts, while focusing on the health and safety of everyone in our community.Recognizing the stress on the state of Oklahoma’s medical system, the Thunder did not use state resources and chose an alternative path for testing of its personnel."
For more information on the coronavirus please note the following sites:
Oklahoma State Department Help Center: 877-215-8336. (Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Oklahoma State – dedicated coronavirus site: click this link
The World Health Organization – click this link
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – click this link