(WXYZ) — Extensive measures are now being taken inside the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in downtown Detroit after the Utah Jazz NBA team stayed there this past weekend. They played the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday and two Jazz players have since tested positive for coronavirus: Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
No one at the hotel would speak with 7 Action News. Their corporate connection with Marriott Hotels sent us a detailed coronavirus protocol they are using worldwide that includes the following:
The hotel seals the guest’s room (e.g. preventing entry by staff or others) and undertakes a room recovery protocol that is designed to disinfect everything in the room, including sanitizing the air.
Hotel workers are represented by Unite Here Local 24. They have not responded to our request on what’s being done to keep workers and the people they come in contact with safe. Pistons players are being told to self-isolate.
Detroit city officials tell us they've been working with the hotel in a statement:
We appreciate the proactive steps that the Pistons took to reduce the potential of community spread of COVID-19. City of Detroit officials and the Detroit Health Department have been in constant communication with the Detroit Pistons and the Book Cadillac Hotel. We will continue to stay in close communication with the team and their doctors throughout the quarantine period. Detroit Health Department investigators immediately responded to the Book Cadillac and determined the hotel implemented an effective cleaning and sanitizing program as soon as they learned of this. It’s important to note that self-quarantine is only recommended if you were within 6 feet of someone who is suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19. If a person you had contact with has a confirmed case of COVID-19, you should go to your health provider and get tested and be in self quarantine for 14 days. If the person you had contact with has an unconfirmed case of COVID-19, you should self-quarantine until the results of their test are determined.
The Pistons said in a statement today:
The Detroit Pistons are working closely with team doctors and public officials regarding COVID-19 and the news overnight that a Utah Jazz player had preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 and the NBA has suspended game play until further notice.
The Jazz played the Pistons on Saturday (March 7) at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. While there is no indication that the novel coronavirus was passed to any Pistons player or staff member, out of an abundance of caution medical staff has asked players, coaches, basketball staff and traveling party to self-isolate until further notice under the direction of team medical staff.
As a further precaution, the organization has directed all employees to work from home for the rest of this week while we consult with medical advisers regarding potential risk and mitigation.
The health and safety of our employees, players, partners and fans is our top priority. We are in close contact with our organization’s health care providers and medical experts, with government and public health officials, and with the NBA to ensure that the potential risk is well understood and all appropriate protective measures are taken.