Relative of Sabres' employee tests positive for COVID-19 after attending game

The Buffalo Sabres are attempting to alleviate concerns after a relative of a team employee recently attended a game and later tested positive for COVID-19. 

"A relative of a Buffalo Sabres employee recently tested positive for COVID-19 outside of New York State. The diagnosed individual is receiving care and is in isolation outside of New York State," the team said in a statement. "This individual does not reside in Western New York and had limited interactions during a recent visit to Buffalo between March 5 and 6. This individual returned home and did not show any symptoms of COVID-19 until several days after leaving the state." 

"The individual was asymptomatic when they attended the Buffalo Sabres game on March 5 and sat in Section 211. We have been in contact with the Erie County Department of Health and they advised us that based on CDC Guidelines this asymptomatic individual would likely not be infectious during the game." 

"We are supporting the family member in all ways possible and would like to thank them for their open communication with Sabres management and wish them a speedy recovery.

"The health and well-being of our employees and community is our top priority. The areas within KeyBank Center that this individual came in contact with were previously cleaned and will continue to be cleaned pursuant to CDC standards.

"Together, we will get through this challenging situation."

It appears the risk to anyone who attended the game, as well as the relative and fellow employees, is low, which is great news. Globally, the mortality rate for those who get the virus is pegged at 3.4 percent by the World Health Organization. The vast majority of cases are considered mild or moderate.