Seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 linked to basketball tournament in City of Markham

August 27, 2021

York Region Public Health is notifying anyone who attended the Phoenix Classic - Back to the Trenches Basketball Tournament from Friday, August 13, 2021 to Sunday, August 15, 2021 about a potential exposure to COVID-19. The basketball tournament was held at the Battle Arena, located at 7261 Victoria Park Avenue in the City of Markham.

York Region Public Health was advised a large number of participants and spectators attended this tournament over the three days. With the delay in obtaining contact lists from the event organizer, this public notice is being issued to help inform individuals who may have been in attendance.

To date, 7 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been associated with this basketball tournament and an outbreak was declared on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

If you attended this tournament, you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and may be at risk of transmitting it to others.

It is important for businesses and event organizers to maintain proper contact lists and attendee information. Corporations may be fined $1,000 + surcharge ($1,130 total payable) under the Reopening Ontario Act for failure to comply. The Battle Arena was issued a fine on Thursday, August 26, 2021 for failure to comply with this requirement.

All players and spectators and other persons at the event should take the following actions:

  • Get tested for COVID-19 at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre, even if you currently have no symptoms and/or are fully vaccinated; testing for COVID-19 continues to be a very important tool as we enter the fourth wave of the pandemic to help reduce the spread of COVID-19
    • Let staff know at the Assessment Centre you attended this basketball tournament and have been advised by Public Health you may have been exposed to COVID-19
  • Self-isolate if you are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms no matter how mild they may seem, and seek assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
  • Get vaccinated as soon as possible
    • The best way to protect yourself, your family and others is to get fully immunized with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
    • The risk of spreading COVID-19 through sports such as basketball is greatly reduced when everyone who is playing or attending are fully vaccinated; children under the age of 12 can be protected by ensuring all household members are fully vaccinated
    • Vaccinations are available as walk-in or by appointment; visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine for information on clinic locations and hours

If you have questions, please call York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653.