(Toronto) Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has tested positive for COVID-19.
Ujiri announced his positive drug test in a statement released by the Raptors on Thursday evening.
He said he tested positive after his organization “Giants of Africa” held an in-person event on Sunday, in which some of the guests tested positive for the virus.
Ujiri mentioned that everyone present was required to show proof of vaccination and wear masks when not eating or drinking. He added that he was doubly vaccinated and that he had received a booster injection.
“I am currently at home, I follow safety protocols by isolating myself for 10 days, I monitor my symptoms and I get tested. I encourage everyone who attended the event to do the same, ”Ujiri said.
The Raptors have canceled their training session “as a preventive measure” in order to respect NBA protocol to fight COVID-19. They are scheduled to face the New York Knicks on Friday.
The Raptors are coming off a 110-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, in Game 5 of their seven-year stay at home – their longest this season.
The team has not traveled outside of Canada since visiting the Pacers in Indianapolis on Nov. 26. The Pacers also canceled their Thursday training for the same reasons.
Raptors players and staff are fully vaccinated, while the NBA says 97% of its players and staff are vaccinated.
After a dozen games were postponed last season due to COVID-19, no games have yet been postponed this season, although several players have been sidelined due to health protocols and security.
Chicago Bulls star and former Raptors player DeMar DeRozan is currently on COVID-19 protocols. Four Charlotte Hornets players, LaMelo Ball, Jalen McDaniels, Mason Plumlee and Terry Rozier, entered league protocols last weekend.
NBA health and safety protocols require a player to be out of play for at least 10 days or to have two negative tests within 24 hours before they can resume activities.
The Ontario squad was already hit hard by an outbreak of COVID-19 last February, while playing in Tampa, Florida. She tumbled down the Eastern Conference standings in March, and was eventually ruled out of the playoffs.