NBL grand finalists Perth Wildcats have been exposed to a coronavirus patient earlier this week.
The Perth Wildcats were exposed to a COVID-19 (coronavirus) patient who travelled on the same flight back to Perth last Monday. The direct flight from Sydney to Perth took four hours and fifteen-minutes.
The Wildcats are set to face off against their grand final rivals Sydney Kings at home within the next 24 hours.
According to an official press release sent by the club yesterday, the Perth Wildcats players, coaches and coaching staff were seated in a different area of the plane.
As this is something the NBL has never experianced before, what is the proper protocol in this kind of situation? Will the NBL or the club stand down any players who show any form of symptoms?
The Wildcats would have been in the vicinity of the diagnosed coronavirus patient from the check-in terminal, boarding gates and throughout the trip. How much exposure did they get within such confined space in the plane?
Our hopes are that no Wildcat has been infected by coronavirus.
The fact remains however that everyone people who come into close contact with those infected with Coronoavirus should undergo self-quarantine. It is prudent to carry precautionary measures in compliance with the advice from the Australian government.
The West Australian Department of Health however has advised the club that “they are not considered high-risk and do not require testing or isolation.”
The reason for this is unknown but this position seems to be in stark contrast with the message relayed by the highest Australian health official in the country.
Just last week, Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy’s press conference with Minister Hunt updated the Australian public about coronavirus.
“The 14-day quarantine is still what we think, the best advice with a margin for error.
The evidence is coming out that the incubation period is generally less than 10 days. The international community is keeping the 14 days to provide a window of safety.
We do believe that there are some people whose symptoms are mild. They may be almost unaware that they’re infected, particularly just as they become infectious.
That’s one of the reasons why quarantine is still being practised.”
The NBL also issued an official statement:
The NBL is monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation closely. The health and welfare of players, staff, officials and fans is paramount. We are communicating with the Perth Wildcats, Sydney Kings, Australian Basketball Players’ Association (ABPA) and venues ahead of this weekend’s Grand Final games in Perth and Sydney.
At this stage we do not anticipate any impact on this weekend’s games. We will continue to monitor the situation and take advice from the relevant health authorities as well as our medical officer and act accordingly.
The NBL Game 2 Finals between the Wildcats and the Kings will take place tomorrow March 13 at RAC Arena in Perth.
Marco Selorio is a serial entrepreneur, basketball writer, Master of Ceremonies, event director and promoter. Follow him on Facebook @marcoandreselorio and on Instagram @marcoselorio
