Gay Former NBA Player Jason Collins Has COVID-19

Jason Collins, the NBA's first active openly gay player, says he and his partner have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

A former player for the Brooklyn Nets, Collins says he caught the virus while in New York earlier this month, where he presented an award in his name at the Nets Pride game March 4. Collins began showing symptoms a week later.

Collins says his partner, Brunson Green, also tested positive for COVID-19, but both are isolating and on the mend.

"Please stay safe and continue to social distance," Collins tweeted Tuesday. "Thank you to every single health care worker out there that are our true heroes on the frontline. Please let's try to flatten the curve & not overwhelm our health care system."

As of last week, four Brooklyn Nets players tested positive for COVID-19, including star Kevin Durant, The Daily Beast reports.

Collins competed for 13 seasons in the NBA and played for five teams. He came out in 2013 and competed with the Nets in the 2013-2014 season before retiring at age 35.