Toronto Raptors centre Khem Birch says he and his family had COVID-19
TORONTO - Khem Birch has finally rejoined the Toronto Raptors after recovering from COVID-19.
The Montreal centre spoke to the media for the first time this season after Monday morning's shootaround, and said he and his family arrived in Toronto on Sept. 18, and within the week they had all tested positive for the virus.
“I lost my smell and a little bit of fatigue,” Birch said of his symptoms. “But I think I can come back. I feel good now. I think game shape is different, just not playing. We'll see tonight.”
The Raptors, who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, hosted the Houston Rockets in a pre-season game Monday.
“We're all 100 per cent fully vaccinated too, so thank God,” Birch said of his family. “If we weren't it probably would have been worse.”
The 29-year-old Birch said his wife lost her sense of taste and smell while their daughter suffered no symptoms.
It wasn't the start to the season Birch had hoped for after signing a three-year US$20-million deal with Toronto in the off-season. Orlando bought out the Canadian late last season and he was impressive in his 19 appearances with the Raptors to end their 2020-21 season in Tampa, Fla., averaging 11.9 points and grabbing 7.6 rebounds a game.
Birch hopes he can bounce back quickly.
“I can probably feel good after tonight's game or (Tuesday),” he said. “I usually get in shape quick. Luckily, we have a whole week of practices before our first (regular-season) game. Right now I'm just gonna go out and play as hard as I can, not worry about the box score, just worry about getting the W.”
The Raptors are without fellow Montreal centre Chris Boucher, who had surgery last week to repair a dislocated finger. Pascal Siakam is recovering from shoulder surgery while Yuta Watanabe is sidelined with a calf strain.
Toronto hosts Washington on Tuesday to wrap up their pre-season. The Raptors open the regular season on Oct. 20 against the visiting Washington Wizards.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.