The National Basketball Association announced Wednesday that they would be suspending games in the 2020 season until "further notice" amid the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus outbreak.
According to a statement from the NBA, the decision was made after a player for the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert, tested positive for the coronavirus known as COVID-19.
"The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight's schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determin next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic."
The statement adds that the NBA became aware of the Jazz player's positive test result shortly before tip-off before Wednesday's game between the Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA officials say Gobert was not in the arena at the time of the game.
The game was abruptly ended Wednesday after players took the court, with the Thunder's public address announcer telling the gathered fans that "due to unforeseen circumstances the game has been postponed." The announcer went on to ask fans to leave Chesapeake Bay Arena.
The decision to suspend games comes following news the World Health Organization had declared the outbreak a pandemic and that President Trump announced that all air travel from Europe to the United States would be suspended for the next thirty days amid the coronavirus outbreak. According to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus heat map, at least 1,300 Americans have been diagnosed with the virus and 38 people have passed away from the disease.
To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
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