After missing 58 games due to a broken left hand injury, the Golden State Warriors star, Steph Curry, missed the team’s March 7th game against the Philadelphia 76ers due to an illness. With coronavirus fears running rampant, the team reassured fans that Steph is fine…sorta. “This morning, Stephen Curry was diagnosed with influenza Type A by a positive viral testing,” said Golden State Warriors’ Team Physician Dr. Robert Nied in a statement. “We have identified his probable source contact who is not part of basketball operations. He has no specific risk factors for COVID-19.”
Not all flu is created equal. Flu, or influenza,is a contagious respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. Symptoms of flu involve muscle aches and soreness, headache, and fever.
There are three types of flu viruses: A, B, and C. Type A and B cause the annual influenza epidemics that have up to 20% of the population sniffling, aching, coughing, and running high fevers. Type C also causes flu; however, type C flu symptoms are much less severe.
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The kind of flu that Steph has, Type A flu or influenza A viruses, are capable of infecting animals, although it is more common for people to suffer the ailments associated with this type of flu. Wild birds commonly act as the hosts for this flu virus.
Type A flu virus is constantly changing and is generally responsible for the large flu epidemics. The influenza A2 virus (and other variants of influenza) is spread by people who are already infected. The most common flu hot spots are those surfaces that an infected person has touched and rooms where he has been recently, especially areas where he has been sneezing.
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In addition to testing Steph for coronavirus, the team announced it was implementing several procedures to protect anyone attending an event at the Chase Center. The cleaning staff has been added to each event and, according to NBC Sports, are “are strictly dedicated for wiping down surfaces, along with using hospital-grade disinfectant spray throughout the arena.”
Elevator attendants are equipped with wipe containers and are sanitizing elevators regularly. Every seat is being wiped down and...
...disinfected before and following each event. All doors and doors handles are being cleaned. Extra soap has been placed in the restrooms, and hand-sanitizer is available throughout the arena.
“He has the seasonal flu. We have begun treatment for Stephen and instituted our team protocol for influenza exposure,” the doctor added. So, on the one hand, Steph doesn’t have COVID-19, aka coronavirus. However, on the other hand, he has the flu, which can be just as bad.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters during his pregame availability that Curry was tested for COVID-19 (“I believe so,” per NBC Sports.) Curry was ruled out on that day’s illness report, but it seemed that the team didn’t need Steph to put away the Sixers. The Warriors prevailed, 118-114, with Damion Lee, 27, putting up 24 points.
