WASHINGTON, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Utah Jazz all-Star guard Donovan Mitchell confirmed on Thursday that he has he tested positive for the coronavirus, one day after his teammate Rudy Gobert became the first NBA player to test positive.
The NBA suspended its 2019-20 season until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday. Neither the league nor the team confirmed the test, but Gobert Thursday confirmed that he was the player who prompted the league to suspend the season.
"I was careless and make no excuse. I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis, mostly fear, anxiety and embarrassment," Gobert said through social media.
Mitchell also took to social media to confirm the fact that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, and to thank those that had reached out to him since the news broke.
"Thanks to everyone who has been reaching out since hearing the news about my positive test," Mitchell wrote. "We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realize that they need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the well being of those around them."
"I am going to keep following the advice of our medical staff and hope that we can all come together and be there for each other and our neighbors who need our help," he added.
The league has told teams that have played Utah in the last 10 days that they should self-quarantine. Utah's opponents since March 2 include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors.
Gobert has already been criticized for his improper conduct earlier this week. When asked about how teams are dealing with the virus during a press conference on Monday, the French center said: "There's not much we can do right now." Then Gobert purposely touched the microphones and audio recorders that reporters who cover the Jazz were using, trying to make a joke.
And now, he apologized for his cavalier attitude.
"The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected," Gobert wrote. "I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as a way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus."
"I am under great care and will fully recover. I encourage everyone to take all of the steps to stay safe and healthy," he added.
