An increase in sports-related Covid cases is a really bad sign for our country, warned Dr. Robby Sikka, former vice president of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves.
The leagues have led the way, and I think that this is going to portend a lot more cases as we get into the Christmas holidays.
The NBA has seen an increase in cases.
Five Nets players were put on Covid protocols for either positive or negative test results on Monday. The Los Angeles Lakers canceled their practice after a player tested positive.
After missing one game, the Lakers' King was cleared to return. James was not positive for Covid despite a series of tests that produced conflicting results earlier in the week. James has said he is protected from diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 61% of the American population is fully vaccineed. The seven-day average of daily cases in the U.S. is around 120,000, according to a CNBC analysis. The omicron variant, first detected in southern Africa about a month ago, now makes up about 3% of cases in the U.S. according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said that omicron is spreading quickly, while delta remains the dominant strain.
The best strategy going into the holidays is to combine layers of protection, testing, masking and vaccination. The lack of a national testing strategy is a weakness in the U.S. strategy to combat Covid.
Encouraging booster shots leading into the holidays will help keep players in the game.
The NBA is aiming for high booster rates.
According to a memo obtained by CNBC, the NFL requires anyone in contact with players to get a booster shot by December 27.
The Associated Press contributed to the report.
