Colorado Avalanche announce second positive coronavirus test; NHL player cases up to four

The Colorado Avalanche announced Saturday that a second player has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The unidentified person is the fourth NHL player to be diagnosed with COVID-19.

"The player is in self-isolation," the team said. "All other Avalanche players, staff and others who might have had close contact with the player have been informed and remain isolated as per prior league direction and are monitoring their health and will be in touch with club medical staff as necessary. No other Avalanche player or staff member has shown symptoms at this time."

The previous Avalanche positive test was announced Thursday and the team said then that player "has recovered and is back to normal."

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The first two players with positive tests were from the Ottawa Senators. Those cases were announced on March 17 and March 21. Senators color analyst Gord Wilson also tweeted that he had tested positive.

Though it's unclear where the players contracted the disease, both the Avalanche and Senators did play in San Jose and Los Angeles during early March.

The St. Louis Blues announced Friday that broadcaster John Kelly had tested positive but is now symptom-free.

The NHL suspended games on March 12 with less than a month remaining in the regular season, instructing players to return to their homes and self-isolate. The NHL recently extended that period to April 6 and postponed the scouting combine, draft and NHL awards.

The increasing uncertainty about the coronavirus pandemic has led to several different scenarios for the rest of the NHL season and the postseason, though it's unclear when play can resume.