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Second Avalanche player tests positive for COVID-19

DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 11: Members of the Colorado Avalanche face-off against the New York Rangers at Pepsi Center on March 11, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
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The Colorado Avalanche announced early Saturday afternoon that a second player has tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total across all NHL teams to four confirmed diagnoses.

Like the previous three known cases of COVID-19, the Avalanche player was not initially identified. The club announced that the player will stay in quarantine to be treated for their symptoms, while all other players and staff have been informed and will continue their mandated isolation periods.

The Avalanche say no other players or staff members are exhibiting symptoms.

The Ottawa Senators are the only other franchise to announce a confirmed diagnoses, revealing in separate announcements last week that two players had tested positive for the infection.

Both the Avalanche and Senators played in San Jose over the March 7-8 weekend. Santa Clara County announced on March 9 — and after the first confirmed death connected to COVID-19 — that it was implementing a ban on gatherings of more than 1000 people.

The NHL officially put a pause on the season on March 12, and it was announced shortly thereafter that all players would remain in isolation until March 27.

The NHL later announced an extension to that isolation period until April 4.

Confirmed cases hit NHL community

In addition to four confirmed cases among the player population, two well-known broadcasters have also been infected by the coronavirus.

St. Louis Blues play-by-play man John Kelly and Senators colour commentator Gord Wilson revealed Friday in separate announcements that they had tested positive for the infection.

The Blues released in a statement that Kelly was “now feeling strong and symptom free,” while Wilson revealed on Twitter that he’s still in the symptomatic stage.

The Blues also spent time in California just before the NHL season was suspended, their last game coming March 11 in Anaheim.

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