On Monday morning, the Toronto Raptors announced that three members within the organization have tested positive for COVID-19. The Raptors relocated to Tampa Bay, Florida for the upcoming season after the Canadian government decided that the organization could not play in the country because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They determined that there was no further spread of the disease within the franchise after contact tracing.
The Raptors’ statement read:
“During the league-mandated testing period prior to training camp, three members of the Toronto Raptors organization tested positive for COVID-19. All three are, and will continue to, self-isolate away from the rest of the organization. Adherence to protocols, follow-up testing and contact tracing has so far revealed no spread to other members of the Raptors organization. We continue to follow safety protocols, and will update the situation as appropriate.”
In their statement, the Raptors did not mention the need to close their practice facility as these tests occurred before training camp begun on December 1. Toronto is the third team in the NBA so far to report positive coronavirus results, with the Portland Trail Blazers most recently closing training camp to undergo deep cleaning post three franchise members testing positive.
The Golden State Warriors also had two players test positive for the virus prior to the initiation of training camp, forcing them to delay the start of their practices. As the NBA continues to gear up for the start of the 2020-21 season, the possibility of other teams testing positive for the virus is something that the NBA will have to be prepared for.
The league sent out health and safety protocols last week, that has to be followed by all players, coaches and staff personnel during the season. If these regulations are not followed, serious punishment could be handed down to players and teams that include a decrease in player salary and loss of draft selections.
