(FILES) In this file photo CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 16, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. – National Basketball Association star CJ McCollum is refusing to sign autographs for fans due to fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
National Basketball Association star CJ McCollum is refusing to sign autographs for fans due to fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
The 28-year-old Portland Trail Blazers guard made the announcement in a tweet on Saturday.
“I am officially taking a break from signing autographs until further notice,” the six-foot-three (1.9 metre), 190-pound (86kg) American said.
He also posted tips on preventing the spread of the virus such as frequent hand-washing.
Oregon state has recorded one presumptive case of coronavirus, but health officials are declining to release specific details such as the name of the person.
A man in his 50s who passed away Saturday in Washington state is the first person to die from the illness in the United States. A second man, in his 70s, also died on Saturday near Seattle.
Sporting events in Asia and Europe recently have been cancelled or postponed due to the outbreak, which has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide, the vast majority in mainland China. People in more than 60 countries are now infected, with the virus reaching every continent except Antarctica.
The NBA, NHL and MLB have all said they are monitoring developments and consulting with health officials.
The World Health Organization said Sunday that the virus appears to particularly hit those over the age of 60 and people already weakened by other illnesses.
In China, the number of reported new cases has gradually been declining, especially outside Hubei province in central China, where the virus emerged late last year.