Donovan Mitchell Says He’s ‘Praying For’ NBA Broadcaster Who Tested Positive For COVID-19

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell said he’s “praying for” longtime NBA broadcaster who tested positive for the coronavirus disease, COVID-19.

Mitchell tweeted his support of ESPN’s Doris Burke who announced on Friday, March 27 that she’d tested positive for the virus.

“We’re praying for you Doris Burke,” Mitchell posted on Twitter.

We’re praying for you @heydb ❤️🙏🏾 https://t.co/zqUqabRIZ4

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) March 27, 2020

Burke announced the news of her diagnosis on Friday’s episode of The Woj Pod with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. She told Wojnarowski she was tested on March 17 and received the results of the test eight days.

“I started to believe, even though my symptoms did not seem to line up with the typical symptoms,” Burke told Wojnarowski. “I believed, given the nature of my profession, the number of people I encounter, that I did, in fact, have exposure to the virus.”

Burke said that she first felt symptoms on March 11. It was also the same day that Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus disease and one day before Mitchell received a positive result. Burke, however, was working a game between the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks that evening.

She said that she first felt symptoms during a lunch meeting with her colleagues for that night’s game.

“Man, I am so tired right now and my head is pounding,” Burke said of that night. “Looking back, those were my symptoms and we’ve heard so much about shortness of breath, fever, tightness in your chest, chills, body aches, etc. That really was my primary symptom throughout this was this extraordinary fatigue.”

Full episode with Doris Burke: https://t.co/1b3QI0qnuj pic.twitter.com/w8PEHOi937

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 27, 2020

Since then, Burke has begun to feel much better.

“I’m so incredibly thankful to be feeling well,” she told Wojnarowski.

Jazz forward Georges Niang also added his support of Burke saying,” Stay strong Doris Burke. We are all here supporting you!”

Stay strong @heydb we are all here supporting you! https://t.co/Z5Z738reOt

— Georges Niang (@GeorgesNiang20) March 27, 2020

Burke has worked covering basketball for ESPN since 1991. Before the 2017-18 season, she was named a full-time NBA game analyst. She was the first woman to do so.

Donovan Mitchell & Rudy Gobert

On Friday, March 27, the Utah Jazz announced that Mitchell and Gobert “no longer pose a risk of infection to others” after they were “cleared” by the Utah Department of Health.

All Utah Jazz have been cleared by the Utah Department of Health after completing their respective periods of isolation and quarantine following exposure to COVID-19. In accordance with CDC and NBA recommendations, all players and staff will continue to practice social distancing while limiting time outside their homes to essential activities,” said the Utah Jazz, “The Utah Department of Health has determined that all Jazz players and staff, regardless of prior testing status, no longer pose a risk of infection to others.”

Coronavirus Resources

• Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
• What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
• What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
• Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
• The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
• Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.