In a release to the Mercyhurst University campus community, officials stated Tuesday evening that one of their student has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The release read:
At 2:50 p.m. today, Mercyhurst officials were informed that a student who was home in eastern New York on a 14-day quarantine tested positive for COVID-19. Upon being notified, we immediately engaged the Erie County Department of Health to begin the process of notifying students who had close contact with the affected student. That notification process has begun. Students with close contact will be advised, per CDC protocols, that they should begin a 14-day period of quarantine and monitor for symptoms.
Additional details were released late Tuesday:
Here is what we are able to confirm at this time:
- The affected student returned to campus following personal travel abroad over spring break. At the time of their return, none of the countries the student traveled to were classified as Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and quarantine was not indicated. Subsequently, following the CDC announcement on March 10, some countries the student traveled to were reclassified as Level 3. Therefore, the student was instructed to return to New York for in-home quarantine, in accordance with CDC guidance.
- The student has confirmed that they attended no classes following spring break.
- The student has also confirmed they did not visit any dining venue on campus following spring break. A review of the student’s meal plan activity shows no recorded visit to any dining venues on campus following break.
