Big Ten Tournament Canceled In Indianapolis Amid Coronavirus

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The Big Ten Conference announced Thursday morning in a statement that it will be canceling the remainder of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis, effective immediately:

"The Big Ten Conference will use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic," the statement reads. "The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus."

This comes as the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reported Thursday that two more presumptive positive cases have been identified in the state. According to a news release from ISDH, the patients are residents of St. Joseph and Marion counties and are adults.

"The results include tests performed both at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and through a private laboratory and bring to 12 the number of Hoosiers who have tested positive for COVID-19," ISDH said.

This would bring the number of Hoosiers who have tested positive for COVID-19 to 12 as of Thursday.

The NCAA said Wednesday it continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel.

The tournament ran Wednesday and was scheduled to begin Thursday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse before being called just minutes before tip off of the first game.

Number of current positive cases by Indiana county, according to ISDH:

• Adams: 1
• Boone: 1
• Hendricks: 2
• Howard: 1
• Johnson: 3
• Marion: 2
• Noble: 1
• St. Joseph: 1

More: Indiana Has 1st Case Linked To Coronavirus: State Health Dept.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued a public health emergency for the state of Indiana Friday as he and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced Friday the first then-presumptive positive (now confirmed) case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in a Marion County resident who recently traveled to Boston, according to a news release from ISDH.

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What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-Cov-2, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 and no antiviral treatment.

According to the news release, human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

• Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
• Rarely, fecal contamination.

According to health officials, the best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flu, is to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Also read:

• Related: Coronavirus United States: Update For Wednesday
• Drugs In Development For SARS Could Work For Coronavirus, Chicago Researchers Find
• An Outbreak Of Coronavirus Misinformation: AP Fact Check
• Coronavirus Outbreak: Tips To Prepare At Home

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from the risk of infection.

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More information and updates via Indiana State Department of Health