COVID-19 concerns lead to Sharks home games being canceled

Concerns about the COVID-19 virus have begun to spread throughout the sports world, and as teams begin to consider alternative plans for the safety of fans and players, one country may force their hand sooner than later. he wouldn’t want to.

Santa Clara County, California, has canceled mass gatherings of more than 1,000 people, in light of “significant increases in COVID-19 rates in Santa Clara County,” according to the operations center emergency and the public health department.

“This is a critical time in the growing COVID-19 outbreak in Santa Clara County. The strict measures we are taking today are intended to slow the spread of the disease,” Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County Health Officer, said in the release. “Today’s order and new recommendations will reduce the number of people who develop serious illness and help prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed.” This is critically important for anyone with health care needs, not just those most vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19. »

The Mercury News reports that the ban applies to all events held at the SAP Center during the month of March, home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. Three Sharks home games scheduled for the rest of the month will take place, according to Mercury News.

Earlier Monday, a woman in her 60s died from the virus in Santa Clara County, making her the second person to die from COVID-19 in the state. Five new cases were reported in the county according to the Mercury, bringing the total to 43.

During a press conference Monday night, Cody said the Sharks could potentially continue to host games at SAP Center, but would have to do so without fans in the building.

The Sharks have released a statement acknowledging the county’s ban and will release their plan in the coming days on how to manage the remaining home games this month.

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