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Karl-Anthony Towns’ mother Jacqueline Cruz has been diagnosed with the coronavirus and is in a medically-induced coma, the NBA star revealed in an emotional Instagram video late Tuesday.

The 24-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves center, whose mom is connected to a ventilator, said he was told early last week that she was not feeling well and that her condition began “deteriorating” over the next few days, when she spiked a fever as high as 103 degrees. He added that she had been improving for a bit at one point, but that things went “sideways” again.

Towns said he told this story to warn others how serious the coronavirus is and to take seriously the practice of social distancing.

“We can beat this, but this is serious and we need to take every precaution,” Towns wrote in the post. “Sharing my story in the hopes that everyone stays at home! We need more equipment and we need to help those medical personnel on the front lines.

“Thank you to the medical staff who are helping my mom. You are all the true heroes! Praying for all of us at this difficult time.”