News and Announcements

Ohio University employee tests positive for COVID-19

An Ohio University employee reporting to work on the Athens campus has tested positive for COVID-19. While on assignment, the employee practiced social distancing and had limited contact with individuals on campus.

The employee was last on campus Monday, May 4, and is recovering at home while in quarantine, in accordance with public health protocols. This is the second confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Ohio University community.

The University will not be releasing the name of this individual to ensure that they can focus on their health and recovery. If you are aware of their identity, please respect their privacy and abide by all privacy rules related to personal information.

University public health officials, in collaboration with local and state public health authorities, are in the process of notifying any individuals who may have been in close contact with this employee. Those exposed have been asked to self-isolate at home for a two-week period, in accordance with public health protocols.

The University has performed enhanced cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting in the area that the employee worked.

Anyone in our campus community that may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should contact their primary care provider and/or their local health department for immediate guidance. If you test positive for COVID-19, you are asked to contact your local county health department. It is imperative that you follow the instructions of your medical provider and avoid situations in which you may come in contact with others.

Everyone should wear a face covering, practice social distancing and good hygiene practices such as covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands and avoiding touching your face, especially your eyes, nose or mouth, as recommended by the CDC.

If you have questions regarding COVID-19, contact your local health department, and for those living in our state, you can contact the Ohio Department of Health at 1-833-4 ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

Information about OHIO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be found at www.ohio.edu/coronavirus. Members of the University community may email coronavirus@ohio.edu with additional questions.

Published
May 8, 2020
Author
Staff reports