Utah Jazz Guard Donovan Mitchell Dedicates Jersey To Doctor On Coronavirus Frontline

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell dedicated his jersey to a doctor working on the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The Jazzman shared a video on social media of him holding up a gold No. 45 Utah Jazz “Statement Edition” jersey with the name Dr. Cassandra Tribble covering up his name. Mitchell joined other professional athletes who are replacing the names on the back of their jerseys with those of frontline heroes as part of a “The Real Heroes Project.”

“Dr. Tribble, you’re a superstar! On behalf of myself and the NBA, thank you for being on the frontlines fighting to keep us safe. I’m honored to dedicate my jersey to you,” Mitchell tweeted alongside the video. “Join me in making a jersey to show some love to your healthcare heroes using #TheRealHeroes.”

Dr. Tribble, you’re a superstar! On behalf of myself and the @NBA, thank you for being on the frontlines fighting to keep us safe. I’m honored to dedicate my jersey to you.
Join me in making a jersey to show some love to your healthcare heroes using #TheRealHeroes. pic.twitter.com/RCJtx2uCug

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 6, 2020

Mitchell continued in the video by thanking Dr. Tribble for everything that she’s done during the pandemic including after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March.

“My healthcare hero is Dr. Cassandra Tribble. We just want to thank you for all that you’ve done. Continuing to sacrifice. Putting others above yourself,” Mitchell said. “When I had the virus, I was a little nervous, a little scared. So just being able to be there is something that we really appreciate. We want to thank you with a loud and well-deserving ovation.”

Donovan Mitchell’s Recovery From COVID-19

The Jazz guard first tested positive for the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, on March 12. He joined fellow Jazzman Rudy Gobert who tested positive for the virus a day earlier.

In late March, the Utah Department of Health cleared both Mitchell and Gobert of isolation and the Jazz organization announced that the players “no longer pose a risk of infection to others.”

“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.”

BREAKING: As of today, all Jazz players and staff (including Gobert and Mitchell) have been cleared by the UDOH. Regardless of prior #COVID-19 testing status they no longer pose a risk of infection to others, according to @utahjazz.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2020

Gobert was the first Jazzman to test positive for the coronavirus disease, COVID-19. He received a positive on Wednesday, March 11 while the Jazz were in Oklahoma City to play against the Thunder.

Following Gobert’s test results, the NBA postponed Utah’s game against Oklahoma City and announced that it was suspending all games until further notice.

Mitchell, along with the rest of the Jazz roster, waited inside the arena to be tested for the virus. The next morning, Mitchell received news that he’d also tested positive for the virus.

Both players spent the next two weeks in self-isolation and quarantine while recovering from the virus.

After receiving news that he was cleared of the virus, Mitchell celebrated his recovery by posting a GIF on Twitter.

🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/3JkZXqGr8U

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) March 27, 2020

Mitchell also encouraged people to “continue to practice social distancing” and to remember that “even though you may not have symptoms you still may be infected!! Let’s keep everyone in our prayers and stay safe.”

On a more serious note… let’s continue to practice social distancing and remember… even though you may not have symptoms you still may be infected!! Let’s keep everyone in our prayers and stay safe❤️🙏🏾

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) March 27, 2020

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 [email protected].
• 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.

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 [email protected].