Sharks Announce Part-Time SAP Center Employee Tested Positive for Coronavirus

The San Jose Sharks have announced a part-time employee at SAP Center has tested positive for the coronavirus. 

The team released the following statement: 

"Late yesterday, Sharks Sports & Entertainment (SSE) received notification that a part-time employee at SAP Center at San Jose has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This person is under self-quarantine and receiving care from medical professionals. ... In coordination with the public health department, SSE Management is following the health authority's determination that risk to the public from that exposure is low and that no additional precautions are necessary. SSE will continue to monitor the situation."

The Sharks said the employee last worked at SAP Center on March 3, when San Jose hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

The game occurred two days before the County of Santa Clara put a moratorium on public gatherings of more than 1,000 people. On March 12, the National Hockey League announced it would "pause" its season amid the pandemic.

"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," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman 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."

Bettman said NHL play will resume when it is "appropriate and prudent."

Worldwide, COVID-19 has infected more 125,000—including 1,272 confirmed cases in the United States—according to CNN's latest tally.