The National Basketball Association (NBA) will require its teams to host Covid booster shot events on New Year’s Eve, according to a report.
Shams Charania, the NBA reporter for the Athletic, tweeted the news earlier this week.
“In light of rising COVID-19 cases, all NBA teams were informed that they are required to host a booster shot event by Dec. 31 in which booster doses are made available for eligible players, staff, and their families,” Charania wrote.
Despite being possibly the most thoroughly vaccinated of all the major sports leagues, the NBA has been devastated by a recent surge in coronavirus cases. According to the reports, the league is 97% vaccinated, with at least 60% of its players having received a booster shot. Still, according to ESPN, 123 players have tested positive for the virus in December.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 29: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards wears a protective face covering due to the Covid-19 pandemic as he warms up before playing against the Atlanta Hawks at Capital One Arena on January 29, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The positive tests have led to a slew of postponed games and chaos for league schedule makers.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 09: A general view of a local business outside the stadium that has been boarded up to protect glass windows is seen after the game between the Washington Wizards and the Miami Heat at Capital One Arena on January 9, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
However, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remains undaunted by the surge in positive tests.
“This virus will not be eradicated,” Silver recently said. “We’re going to have to learn to live with it.