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NBA adding antibody test to return protocol

Jeenah Moon / Getty Images News / Getty

The NBA is adding an antibody test for players and staff who have recovered from the COVID-19 virus to its return protocol, according to a league memo obtained by ESPN's Malika Andrews and Tim Bontemps.

The updated protocol addresses teams' concerns about the potential for false positive results for players returning from COVID-19. People who have recovered can still have dead virus cells in their system that are detected by tests, Bontemps and Andrews note.

At least one player has tested positive after he recovered from COVID-19 before traveling to Orlando and then recorded multiple negative test results following his arrival, sources told Andrews and Bontemps.

As of Monday, two out of 322 players within the campus environment have tested positive for COVID-19. Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook and Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes are among the players at home waiting to be medically cleared to join their respective teams in Orlando.

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