16 NBA players test positive for Coronavirus; how will this affect the NBA Orlando Bubble?

The NBA has confirmed that 16 players have tested positive for coronavirus before the NBA Bubble restart in Orlando; no names disclosed yet.

The NBA and NBPA announced 16 players have tested positive for the novel coronavirus out of the 302 players tested this week. The majority of players were tested on Tuesday at their respective NBA facilities.

No names have revealed till now by the NBA or their respective teams.

“Any player who tested positive will remain in self-isolation until he satisfies public health protocols for discontinuing isolation and has been cleared by a physician,” the statement read.

The testing is part of the league’s preparations to restart the 2019-20 season in July after it was halted March 11 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

NBA’s testing for Coronavirus

The NBA started testing players for novel coronavirus earlier this week. The New York Times reported that anyone entering the Orlando “bubble” would be required to quarantine for up to 48 hours until they register two negative COVID-19 tests. 

Any players who leave the bubble environment would undergo a 10-day quarantine upon their return to Disney and will need to register two negative tests before returning to play.

Everyone in the bubble will be tested each night, with the results coming the following morning.

Also read: Derrick Jones Jr coronavirus: Miami Heat forward tests positive for Covid-19

16 NBA players testing positive for coronavirus; what does it mean for NBA Bubble ?

This comes as a set back for the NBA. But the plans of restart in the NBA Bubble are still on track.

Program for the Bubble-

July 7-11: Teams travel to Orlando

Teams will take either a bus or charter flight to Orlando, and once they arrive, everyone will have to stay in their rooms until they test negative for COVID-19 twice. 

July 9-29: Training camps in Orlando

July 30: Play resumes

There will be regular COVID-19 testing, and players will be expected to remain on campus. If a player leaves, they will be subject to extra testing, as well as a 10-14-day quarantine period. 

Oct 13: NBA season ends 

 Nikola Jovic, Derrick Jones Jr, Buddy Hield were among the 6 players that tested positive earlier this week.