First Known Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in USU Community

Utah State University has confirmed that two separate individuals in the Logan campus community have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 31. One is an employee who has not been on campus for more than 14 days. The other is a student who lives off campus. Both are recovering and isolating at home. In order to protect their privacy, no other information about these individuals will be provided. Note, USU relies on those who test positive to inform the university as this is protected health information.

“I know this information may cause our students and employees concern, and I want to reassure you that we are working hard to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said USU President Noelle Cockett. “We’ll get through this by treating each other with compassion and doing our part to prevent the spread.”

When an individual tests positive for COVID-19, the local health department works with the individual to identify those who may be at risk of infection. Learn more about how Bear River Health Department handles cases at https://brhd.org/coronavirus/.

Though these are the first confirmed cases involving members of the USU campus community, the university has already been planning and preparing to address additional cases across the state in the coming days and weeks. In addition, with limited access to testing, there will be more cases in our community that are not confirmed. The prevention actions everyone should take remain the same: work remotely whenever possible, stay at home when sick, practice good hygiene, and practice social distancing.

More information about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state is available from the Utah Department of Health.

If You Become Ill

The symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough, or shortness of breath. According to Utah health officials, anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and who do not have some other clinical diagnosis (such as influenza) can be tested for the disease. However, not everyone needs to be tested, and most people who become sick with COVID-19 will recover on their own at home without medical attention. If you are sick, you must isolate at home to avoid spreading the illness to others. If you have life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.

Visit www.usu.edu/covid-19 to learn more about how USU is addressing COVID-19.