Rudy Gobert of Utah Jazz Reveals He's Experiencing Loss of Smell and Taste after COVID-19 Diagnosis
Utah Jazz basketball player Rudy Gobert shared on Twitter the symptoms he continues to experience after testing positive for COVID-19.
In a recent update, the Jazz forward tweeted about the symptoms he has been dealing with since testing positive for the coronavirus last March 12.
AN UPDATE FROM GOBERT
Among the things he experienced, Rudy Gobert highlighted the loss of smell and taste. He even asked for responses to those who felt the same. The tweet read:
"Just to give you guys an update, loss of smell and taste is definitely one of the symptoms, haven't been able to smell anything for the last 4 days."
The French center was the first NBA player to be diagnosed with the virus, making NBA Commissioner Adam Silver suspend the 2019-2020 season in pursuit of ensuring health and safety around the league.
POSSIBLE SIGNS OF BEING A CARRIER
British doctors, as reported by the New York Times, affirmed that the loss of the aforementioned senses serve as a sign that someone may be a carrier.
Rudy Gobert during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 28, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. | Source: Getty Images
Since Gobert's positive test for COVID-19, more players around the league have been diagnosed with the same result.
This has led to the instruction for people who experience such loss to conduct self-isolation immediately. Professor Claire Hopkins of the British Rhinological Society said:
"We really want to raise awareness that this is a sign of infection and that anyone who develops loss of sense of smell should self-isolate."
GOBERT SHOWS SIGNS OF BEING IRRESPONSIBLE
Gobert admitted to treating the pandemic lightly and was reprimanded by the public after a video surfaced online showing him mock safety precautions as he purposely smothered reporters' microphones.
Shortly after, the gravity of the situation caught up. In his public apology, Gobert said: "I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis, mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment."
Rudy Gobert attempts a slam dunk during a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2020 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Since Gobert's positive test for COVID-19, more players around the league have been diagnosed with the same result.
Among them are Jazz starter Donovan Mitchell; the Pistons' Christian Wood, the Nets' Kevin Durant with three others; the Celtics' guard Marcus Smart and two members of championship-favorite Los Angeles Lakers.
Rudy Gobert reacts after dunking during the third quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 06, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images
As Gobert remains optimistic about his soonest recovery while encouraging everyone to practice social distancing, the Frenchman has also donated a total of $500,000 to assist in relief efforts in multiple areas.
He gave $200,000 as assistance for Vivint Arena part-time employees; and another $200,000 for affected areas in Utah and Oklahoma City.