Los Angeles Lakers: Players will undergo testing for the COVID-19 virus

The Los Angeles Lakers have been out of action during the suspended NBA season and now have to test for COVID-19 after learning about the Brooklyn Nets.

The global pandemic that has spread because of the COVID-19 virus has not only disrupted sporting events in Southern California and abroad but it seems the story is hitting closer to home with the Los Angeles Lakers.

News reports broke out Tuesday that four members of the Brooklyn Nets have tested positive for the novel virus including All-Star Kevin Durant. As a result of the news, all Los Angeles Lakers players and basketball operations will be tested for the virus.

The last game the Lakers played was against the Nets before the NBA season was postponed over a week ago. As a result, the team is to be tested and they are asking players to quarantine for 14 days.

The news means the Lakers are the first team in Southern California that has been confirmed that will undergo testing for the novel virus.

With the team still in Los Angeles, the testing will presumably be done without issue because the players and staff are not scattered throughout the country. The team released a statement confirming reports, stating:

"“Given the exposure risks from our game against the Nets on March 10th, we are following the steps of our COVID-19 procedures and protocol that are established in consultation with various health officials, the NBA and our UCLA Health doctors.”"

Whether the players and staff reports will be made public is not known at this time, with the news of multiple NBA players already confirmed it is doubtful the information will stay a secret. The players and staff health have to be paramount and the league stated that public knowledge can help in the middle of this crisis.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass stated:

"“Following two players testing positive last week, others were tested and five additional players tested positive. Hopefully, by these players choosing to make their test results public, they have drawn attention to the critical need for young people to follow CDC recommendations in order to protect others…”"

The story is just another in a long line of bad news that has upended society on a global scale due to the COVID-19 virus. Hopefully, Lakers fans can learn from this and see why it’s important to follow the expert’s guidelines.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.