Report: Concerns growing over NBA restart due to coronavirus spike in Florida
Florida's spike in coronavirus cases is prompting concern about the NBA's return-to-play plan at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando from players, team executives, and members of the league office, according to Baxter Holmes and Zach Lowe of ESPN.
Commissioner Adam Silver reportedly addressed the increase in the state's numbers during a recent call with high-level team executives. Silver's tone was described as "resolute but somber," and while he maintained confidence in the league's planned bubble environment, he acknowledged the severity of the situation, sources told Holmes and Lowe.
Florida recorded a new single-day high of 4,049 coronavirus cases Saturday, according to John Hopkins University. The state's previous record was set Friday at 3,822 cases, which in turn surpassed Thursday's 3,207. As of 8 a.m. ET Sunday, Florida has recorded 93,789 total cases with 3,143 deaths, according to The New York Times.
In a call organized by the National Basketball Players Association this week, some players reportedly expressed concern with testing not being required for resort staff who will be allowed to exit and reenter the quarantined environment, according to Holmes and Lowe.
NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said the union may look to implement "further restrictions" on staff, if necessary.
"Can't say I am surprised, given the state's approach to reopening," she said. "We are obviously clearly monitoring the situation.
"While we take some solace in knowing our players will not travel commercially to get to Orlando, that access to the campus is severely limited and, of course, all of the other health and safety protocols in place, the numbers will keep our attention. If necessary to add further restrictions respecting those third parties having access to the campus, we will seek to implement them."
It was also reportedly mentioned during the players' call that cases in Orlando have not climbed as sharply as other regions in Florida.
The Walt Disney World Resort is mostly located in Orange County, which has recorded approximately 4,568 total cases, according to The New York Times. South Florida's Miami-Dade County is the state's hardest-hit region with 25,079 cases.