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Miami Records First Coronavirus Death After Man, 40, Attends Beach Party
Miami has reported its first coronavirus-related death.
According to NBC, Israel Carreras died in the hospital on Friday after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.
The 40-year-old is believed to have caught the virus while attending the Winter Party Festival in Miami Beach between the dates of March 4 and the 10.
His partner, Franco Conquista, said one of the first symptoms was a fever and “then very quickly he was having problems with breathing.”
“Everybody loves him. His personality just shined”, says boyfriend of Israel Carreras. Israel, who was 40 years old, is the first person in Miami-Dade to die due to complications from COVID-19. I’ll share his story tonight at 4, 6, and 7 on @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/IgLieqmW4b— Jamie Guirola (@jamieNBC6) March 27, 2020It led to a horrible cough that made breathing so difficult for Carreras that he had to use sign language to communicate.
“He could not breathe, and then they put tubes in his nose and his mouth," Conquista recalled, adding, “he couldn't even get the tubes out to eat. Because he couldn't breathe.”
With the virus being highly contagious, Conquista was not able to spend time with Carreras in person. He said the virus is like “somebody sucks the will of wanting to live out of you.”
He described Carreras as healthy with no underlying issues aside from possible high blood pressure.
His advice to others, "Just stay home. Don’t just think of yourself. Don’t just think because you’re not affected directly this is not happening. It is happening. People are suffering, people are dying."
While many of Miami’s events like Ultra Music Festival and Calle Ocho Festival were canceled immediately, the beach party still attracted thousands of attendees.
So far, nine attendees have also tested positive for COVID-19.
The U.S is now leading in coronavirus cases surpassing both China and Italy, two areas heavily affected.
New York remains the nation’s epicenter with more than 44,000 cases, however, Florida is seeing an increasing number of cases that has led some experts to fear it will become the new hotspot very soon.
NBC reported that as of late Friday, cases in Miami-Dade County surged to over 760 with the state nearing 3,000.
Daily Mail added that the high number of elderly residents and the influx of tourists makes Florida particularly vulnerable. Up until recently, many spring breakers ignored the dire warnings and flocked to the beaches anyway.
Shortly after Carreras’ death, the Miami Herald reported a second coronavirus death of a 79-year-old man who was not yet identified.
IOC and Japan Officially Postpone 2020 Olympics
The 2020 Olympics will not take place in 2020 after all.
Tuesday morning, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shared that his proposal of a one-year postponement was met with support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and that the organization's president, Thomas Bach, agreed "100%" to the concept (via the Associated Press). Soon after, a statement was issued on the official website of the Olympic Games.
In the joint statement between the IOC and Japan, it is stated that a conclusion was made that the "Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community".
No date has been announced yet as to an official rescheduling of the games.
Abe brought up his proposal on Monday after an outpouring of concern from various countries' Olympic teams. Among those teams were the US Swim and Track and Field teams, speaking to the safety and health of the athletes and the inadequacy of such an environment in providing proper conditions.
pic.twitter.com/VMXaTyRcJN— USATF (@usatf) March 21, 2020Countries such as Canada and Australia publicly stated that they would opt not to participate in the 2020 Olympics at all under such difficult circumstances, leading to a feeling that a postponement or cancellation was becoming more and more inevitable by the day.
A decision from the IOC was reportedly to come in the next four weeks, but action has been taken more quickly.
This goes against what IOC senior member Dick Pound had said late in February, stating that the games were more likely to be canceled entirely than postponed or simply moved. However, as circumstances have rapidly developed and our knowledge of the illness has evolved, a year-long delay may be enough of a postponement to ensure athlete safety barring another decision down the stretch.
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NCAA Basketball Tournaments Canceled In Response to Coronavirus Outbreak
A surreal week in sports continued Thursday with the NCAA announcing that it’s men’s and women’s basketball tournaments scheduled for next week will no longer take place. NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic was the first to report the event’s cancellation.
The NCAA has canceled the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments and March Madness.— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020This was the expected outcome after Duke University and others (top-ranked Kansas among them) announced they would not participate in this year’s NCAA field amid safety concerns related to the growing coronavirus outbreak, a widespread epidemic that has already claimed over 4,000 lives worldwide. The writing was on the wall after conference tournament play came to a standstill this afternoon with the AAC, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Pac-12, SEC, WAC and others announcing plans to close shop.
The NCAA’s decision to call off March Madness marks the latest sports domino to fall with most major leagues including the NBA, NHL and MLB suspending play until further notice. These drastic measures are in response to COVID-19, a global emergency (it's been classified as a pandemic) spanning 100-plus countries. The NBA has been hit particularly hard by the illness with two of its more prominent players—Jazz All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell—both testing positive for the virus. The world of entertainment has also been impacted with two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, among those affected.
The NCAA had hoped to keep March Madness afloat, making tentative plans to play the 68-team tournament without fans present. But with fear escalating nationwide, hosting the much-anticipated event no longer became feasible. The decision to pull the plug on this year’s men’s and women’s tournaments—not a postponement but an outright cancellation—looks like it could be just the tip of the iceberg for college sports. NCAA President Mark Emmert has since canceled the remainder of this year’s winter and spring athletic calendar across all collegiate levels.
Abandoning an entire sports season is unprecedented but for the NCAA, there was no other choice. Coronavirus continues to expand its reach in the U.S. with over 1,400 cases confirmed nationally, affecting 45 states with a death toll approaching 40.
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NBA Season Suspended Likely At Least 30 Days After Positive Coronavirus Tests
The NBA has suspended its season for at least 30 days, the league reportedly told teams on Thursday.
The season was initially suspended indefinitely on Wednesday after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 prior to a game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The NBA has told its teams that the league will be suspended for 30 days, minimum.— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) March 12, 2020The NBA postponed the game shortly before tip-off, and later decided that all games will be suspended following the conclusion of Wednesday night's schedule, although the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans game never tipped off.
The NBA has suspended the season pic.twitter.com/BQpPYkPqWv— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) March 12, 2020Gobert was not in the arena Wednesday night, but Royce Young of ESPN reported taht players on both the Jazz and Thunder were being quarantined in the locker room to be tested for the coronavirus.
On Thursday, Gobert's teammate Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the coronavirus. He is the only other positive test in the NBA that is known.
Over the last eight days, the Jazz have played Toronto, Detroit, Boston and New York.
Prior to the NBA's decision to suspend the season, there were reports that the league was considering pushing back the calendar and playing games without fan attendance — which is what the NCAA has decided to do for all Division I games, including the March Madness tournament.
Since the NBA's decision, the MLS, NHL and several NCAA conference tournaments have followed suit, while Duke and Kansas have suspended all sports until further notice.
Whether or not the NBA will return to the regular season or go straight into the postseason is still unknown.
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NHL Joins Others in Suspending Season Due to Coronavirus
The NHL has decided to put its season on hold, joining the NBA, MLS and several other professional and college sports leagues as the coronavirus continues to rock the sports world.
The NHL reached the decision on Thursday afternoon on a conference call with commissioner Gary Bettman and the Board of Governors.
Per Emily Kaplan of ESPN, the league still hopes it can resume play this spring.
The NHL is planning to suspend its season. Announcement coming soon. The league still hopes it can return at some point this spring, but obviously situation is fluid.— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) March 12, 2020The decision seemed inevitable, as the league halted workouts and meetings and advised referees on the road to book flights home.
Many NHL and NBA teams share arenas as well, and Utah Jazz have at least two players who tested positive for COVID-19. The league said this played a significant factor in its decision.
"The NHL has been attempting to follow the mandates of health experts and local authorities, while preparing for any possible developments without taking premature or unnecessary measures," the NHL said in a statement. "However, following last night's news that an NBA player has tested positive for coronavirus -- and given that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and it now seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point -- it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time."
The NHL had already prepared to play games in select cities without fans due to orders from local government.
Hockey leagues in Europe, as well as USA Hockey's junior league, the USHL, have cancelled playoffs, but the NHL remains hopeful it will not come to that.
Only twice in league history has the NHL not played the Stanley Cup Final — in 1918 due to the Spanish Flu outbreak, and in 2004-05 due to a lockout.
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NBA Season Suspended Due to Coronavirus: Twitter Reacts
Wednesday night, the NBA officially suspended its season and will be on an indefinite hiatus. This decision came shortly after the game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was cancelled for an undisclosed medical reason. Later on, it was revealed that Jazz star center Rudy Gobert had tested positive for coronavirus, which effectively was the straw that broke the camel's back in determining the fate of the NBA season.
NBA To Suspend Season Following Tonight's Games pic.twitter.com/2PTx2fkLlW— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2020The Jazz and Thunder players are currently quarantined in the OKC arena, league sources tell ESPN. This is following Rudy Gobert testing positive for the coronavirus.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020Fellow French NBA player Evan Fournier provided an update on his friend and Team France teammate through Twitter soon after the announcement.
Was just on the phone with Rudy. He is doing good man. Lets not panick everyone. Love you all❤️— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) March 12, 2020Twitter exploded with reactions in response to the unprecedented breaking news.
New tweets will be featured as more players/figures react.
Man we cancelling sporting events, school, office work, etc etc. What we really need to cancel is 2020! 🤦🏾♂️. Damn it’s been a rough 3 months. God bless and stay safe🙏🏾— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 12, 20202020 aint it. Don't know what to compare this situation to…just gotta buckle up and take care of yourself and those around you. Basketball will be back at some point but right now, protect yourself and stay safe out there!— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) March 12, 2020Hopefully not the last time we see you on the court VC but this is dope! #vinsanity https://t.co/7L8Q5fGUoz— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) March 12, 2020Such a weird night but I am truly thankful for each and every person during this 22yr journey. If this is really it, I thank everyone for your love and support for all these years. B E Z✌🏽— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) March 12, 2020Single craziest day in NBA history. It’s not even close. Stay safe out there everybody.— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 12, 2020Sport is supposed to be an escape from real life ... but 2020 apparently has a previously unseen capacity to defy that notion— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 12, 2020Mark Cuban reacts moments after the NBA season was suspended. pic.twitter.com/4g8Z7yLts6— ESPN (@espn) March 12, 2020.@MCuban just said during #Mavs telecast that he will “put together a (financial) program” for arena workers in wake of #Coronavirus #NBA games suspension. Calm and logical here.— mike fisher ✭🐟 (@fishsports) March 12, 2020"This is people's lives at stake. This isn't about basketball. ... This is a global pandemic."Mark Cuban spoke to the media after the NBA suspended its season. pic.twitter.com/xFkDOFf46o— ESPN (@espn) March 12, 20202020 is being very bad year!! stay safe folks🙏— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) March 12, 2020Man... This stuff crazy... Praying for EVERYBODY in this tough time🙏🏽— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 12, 2020I hope all the players take some time to really work on life outside of basketball . Using your resources and celebrity to your advantage . Take the meetings. Diversify and learn to explore other avenues of income while you’re still in the league. Bc when it’s over it’s over !— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) March 12, 2020Whoa! This is crazy...🙏🏿#TomHanks #RitaWilson https://t.co/IzEqyNhZrt— Caron Butler (@realtuffjuice) March 12, 2020Damn— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) March 12, 2020pic.twitter.com/qAO5GV2DTa— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) March 12, 2020wow bro wow— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) March 12, 2020This is crazy 😳😳😳— Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) March 12, 2020Mood pic.twitter.com/CrfRocKCfu— Hassan Whiteside (@youngwhiteside) March 12, 2020Praying for everyone !— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) March 12, 2020What just happened? pic.twitter.com/gObCB2GYoh— Terrence Ross (@TerrenceRoss) March 12, 2020💔🤯huhhh— JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) March 12, 2020Praying for everyone. Please let’s all the be safe. 🙏🏾🙏🏾— nick vanexel (@vanexel31) March 12, 2020Unbelievable https://t.co/Jh1YkwAwi9— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 12, 2020As far as I’m concerned the mlb season has 0.0 chance to start as scheduled— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) March 12, 2020LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM AppFollow RADIO.COM SportsTwitter | Facebook I Instagram
NCAA Tournaments Will Be Played Without Spectators
The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments will be played as scheduled, but the games will be off-limits to fans due to the spreading coronavirus, NCAA President Mark Emmert said Wednesday.
“The NCAA continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel," Emmert said. "Based on their advice and my discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including Division 1 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance.”
The announcement came after elected officials in several states and cities banned large events and gatherings, including Ohio, where Governor Mike DeWine said fans would be banned from NCAA games in Dayton and Cleveland next week.
Also earlier on Wednesday, the NBA's Golden State Warriors said Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets in San Francisco would be played without fans in attendance, marking the first time the pandemic had prompted a professional sporting event to be held under such circumstances. Several college basketball conference tournaments were held without fans, including the Mid-American Conference, which started on Wednesday. Others, including the Big East and SEC tournaments, were scheduled to tip off on Wednesday without any restrictions.
Several other high-profile sporting events were cancelled altogether this week due to the virus, including the ATP Tour’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, and the Ivy League conference basketball tournaments.
The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament brackets are scheduled to be revealed Sunday and Monday, respectively.
Emmert said the NCAA would “continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.”
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