SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks said Thursday afternoon their game with the Minnesota Wild at SAP Center later that evening will go on as originally scheduled.

Earlier Thursday, public health officials from Santa Clara County called for new measures to prevent the coronavirus from circulating in the community, including cancelling large gatherings like sporting events.

The team will continue to evaluate whether to hold events in the coming days with confirmed coronavirus cases continuing to increase throughout the region.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Santa Clara County reached 20 on Thursday.

“Sharks Sports & Entertainment is aware of the recommendations made today by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and we continue to actively monitor the situation,” the team said in a statement. “We will be evaluating further upcoming events in the coming days.”

The Sharks also have two home games this weekend, as they play the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. For complete Sharks coverage

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The organization’s statement continued, “SAP Center undergoes a rigorous cleaning procedure after each and every event, with particular attention paid to high-traffic, high public-contact areas. Many areas will receive additional, enhanced measures throughout the course of events for the foreseeable future.

“Guests attending tonight’s game and future SAP Center events are strongly encouraged to follow the health department’s suggestion, which recommends that “persons at higher risk avoid mass gatherings such as parades, sporting events, and concerts where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another.”

A Sharks spokesman said season ticket holders who feel they are at risk for contracting the disease should contact their representative in the Sharks ticket office. Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.

The San Jose Earthquakes of MLS also have a home game scheduled against Minnesota United FC Saturday afternoon. That club said in a statement after the county’s Thursday recommendation that it was monitoring the situation, but would not yet say if that match will be canceled:

“The Earthquakes organization is aware of the recent COVID-19 updates from the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department. Public health and safety are our top priorities and we are coordinating with local agencies, the CDC, MLS officials and upcoming opponent Minnesota United FC to ensure the proper measures are taken to protect our community. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates regarding Saturday’s match at Earthquakes Stadium.”

SAP Center has several events scheduled in the next few days. The San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, play San Diego on Friday and Saturday, and Tony Robbins will speak at the arena March 12-15.

As is normal for 7:30 p.m. starts to games, fans started to filter into SAP Center for Thursday’s game shortly after 6 p.m.

“We’re washing our hands all the time, so we’re trying to keep clear,” said Ron Pieracci, 83, of San Jose, who was with his wife, Betty, 82. “Everybody that we know that’s got tickets was coming, or planning to.”

Mike Anderson, 73, of Sunnyvale said he thought about not coming to the game. But as of early Thursday night, he and friend Nancy Cloutier, 83, were also planning to attend the next two Barracuda games.

“I guess it can be serious. We’re both over that tricky age of 70, so we’re both risky,” Anderson said. “But we don’t have any respiratory problems, so we’re thinking we could be worse off.”

The scene inside SAP Center just before puck drop. Light crowd to start. Bad traffic, a non-contending team or people staying away over health concerns? pic.twitter.com/1oqBUi11AW — Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) March 6, 2020

The Sharks asked fans at SAP Center to observe the following guidelines:

▪Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

▪ If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

▪ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

▪Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

▪Stay home when you are sick.

▪Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and clean your hands.”

A Sharks spokesman said the team’s players have been encouraged to limit interaction whenever possible, to minimize any exposure potential, and to keep washing their hands. Fans are allowed to come to the team’s practices at Solar4America Ice in San Jose/ They usually greet players or ask for autographs after practice when the players come off the ice.

A message on a television inside the Sharks’ locker room Thursday morning asked for players and staff to “Please wash your hands frequently. Cover your cough or sneeze.”

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After plea from HDA and Evander Kane, NHL postpones Thursday and Friday games NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday at the general managers’ meeting in Florida that the league has been in contact with the Centers for Disease Control. At that time, Bettman did not wish to speculate whether teams will have to postpone games or hold them in empty arenas.

“At this point, it would be premature to pick any one of the possibilities, especially because it may or may not become necessary in North America,” Bettman said. “We’re staying current, we’re staying in communication with everyone appropriate, and we’ll deal with it if and when the time comes.”

“We’re going to continue to monitor things,” Bettman said. “We’re going to keep everybody completely informed.”