Child in Rhode Island Tests Positive for Coronavirus After Getting Autographs From Utah Jazz at Celtics Game

We now have concrete evidence as to why one positive coronavirus test in the NBA triggered a league-wide shutdown.

A young NBA fan in Rhode Island who attended last week's game between the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics has contracted the coronavirus. Also, in the past week, he snagged an autograph from one of the two Jazz players who has also tested positive for the illness.

We can't guarantee the two are related, but it cannot be ruled out, and serves as a perfect example of the greater danger.

A child in Rhode Island has tested positive for coronavirus after getting an autograph from one of the NBA players who have also contracted the virushttps://t.co/v8ntCZVRZj pic.twitter.com/6UYmsnTMkX
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) March 13, 2020

Though it's unclear who the child contracted the virus from, what's known is that both Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have tested positive for COVID-19.

The NBA suspended its season for a minimum of 30 days in an attempt to limit the possibility of infection almost immediately after it was revealed that Gobert had the virus.

If Rudy Gobert doesn’t get sick, how many US sports leagues are still active today? I think there’s a decent argument that all of them are. Which means you can easily make the argument Gobert’s illness is a top five most impactful incident in sports history.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 13, 2020

It's absolutely heartbreaking that this happened, but it should be emphasized that no one in this case is directly at fault. This was nothing more than a wholesome interaction between a young fan and a player that unfortunately had unintended, and at the time, unknown consequences. Blame should not be placed on any party in this situation, but it only serves to make it clearer how quarantining only when you feel symptoms does not go far enough.

What's most important now is that both the players and the fan focus on getting healthy.