Rudy Gobert Shares An Update About His Coronavirus Symptoms: “Loss of Smell and Taste is Definitely One of the Symptoms”

Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert, who was the first NBA player to test positive for coronavirus, updated his progress with coronavirus via Twitter.

Describing his current symptoms, Gobert said he hasn’t been able to taste or smell anything since being diagnosed.

“Just to give you guys an update, loss of smell and taste is definitely one of the symptoms. I haven’t been able to smell anything for the last 4 days. Anyone experiencing the same thing?” Gobert tweeted.

Multiple people who have contacted COVID-19 have also reported the loss of taste and smell.

ENT UK, which represents ear, nose, and throat surgeons in the UK, said that the loss of smell, medically known as anosmia, may be an initial sign of COVID-19 infection.⠀⠀⠀⠀

Professor of ear, nose, and throat surgery at Flinders University, Simon Carney said he believes “evidence is emerging day by day.”

“This information must be put in the public domain” for health authorities to review,” he added.

Anosmia is a symptom that occurs frequently after viral infections, but it’s not included in the definitions healthcare professionals use to identify possible Covid-19 cases, according to Carney.

Claire Hopkins, president of the British Rhinological Society, said she believes the number of patients complaining about anosmia rather than the reported symptoms most associated with COVID-19 are” rapidly growing.”

Hopkins said she saw four patients, all under the age of 40, with anosmia within a week, who were otherwise asymptomatic.

“I think these patients may be some of the hidden carriers that have facilitated the rapid spread of the virus. Unfortunately, these patients doesn’t meet the criteria for testing or self-isolation,” she added.