What we know about the Nuggets organization's positive COVID-19 test

The coronavirus continues to spread throughout the NBA and Denver.

The Nuggets announced Thursday that a member of the organization has tested positive for COVID-19. The person was tested on March 16 after experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and is currently in self-isolation. The Nuggets also said that the person is under the care of team and medical staff.

“The testing was undertaken following guidance from state public health officials and team physicians,” the team said in a statement.

“The health and safety of our players, our organization, those throughout our league, and all those potentially impacted by this situation is paramount. The Nuggets 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”

Here’s what we know about the positive test –

• A league source told DNVR Wednesday that the Nuggets were not one of the eight NBA teams who have had their players tested for COVID-19. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in an interview on ESPN Wednesday that eight teams have tested their players.
• DNVR also reported Thursday that the Nuggets do not plan to have any more members of the organization tested for COVID-19 unless they exhibit symptoms per state protocol. So far, none have, according to a league source.

The Nuggets test was the eighth positive COVID-19 case in the NBA. Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the virus last week. The Detroit Pistons announced that Christian Wood tested positive on Sunday. On Tuesday, the Brooklyn Nets announced that four players had tested positive and Kevin Durant revealed to The Athletic that he was one of the four.

Thursday afternoon, the Philadelphia 76ers announced that three members of the organization have tested positive for COVID-19. Two Lakers also tested positive Thursday along with one member of the Boston Celtics, bringing the NBA’s total number of positive cases to 14.

A food and beverage associate who works for Legends, an Event Hospitality Service which handles the food and beverage services at Pepsi Center, also tested positive for COVID-19, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment announced on Tuesday.

In a statement, KSE said that the associate “worked in the back-of-house area (i.e., one that does not require any direct customer interaction) and last worked Wednesday, March 11. Legends has reached out directly to the individuals who worked in close proximity with its associate.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves the NBA sent a memo to teams Thursday, according to ESPN, that it’s shutting down all team training facilities to staff and players and that the league continues to recommend that players remain in their team’s home market and to leave their homes only when they absolutely must, such as to go grocery shopping or get medicine. A ban on players leaving North America remains in effect.

NBA and Coronavirus

March 11: Rudy Gobert tests positive for coronavirus and the NBA suspends its season.

March 12: Donovan Mitchell tests positive for coronavirus and Adam Silver says the league will be suspended for 30 days. The NBA also informs all 30 teams that no group workouts or practices may take place at team facilities.

March 14: Christian Wood tests positive for coronavirus.

March 15: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that no gatherings with 50 people or more take place for the next eight weeks.

March 16: NBA informs teams that players are allowed to travel out of market.

March 17: Four Brooklyn Nets including Kevin Durant test positive for coronavirus.

March 19: Nuggets announce that a member of their organization tested positive for coronavirus and the NBA tells teams that it’s shutting down all team training facilities to staff and players. The 76ers announce three members of their organization have tested positive while the Lakers said Thursday evening that two of their players tested positive.

As of Thursday afternoon there were 277 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Colorado, 38 people have been hospitalized and two have died, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.