College reports virus case

August 28, 2020

Employees and students at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise have been notified that an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

College spokesperson Kathy Still sent out a letter Tuesday afternoon explaining that the employee is isolated at home. Because the person had contact with four other employees, they also were asked to quarantine at home.

In a Thursday email, Still wrote that no other positive cases have been reported on campus. However, four students tested positive “before they could come to campus” and were isolated at home. They can come on campus once the Virginia Department of Health clears them, she explained.

In Tuesday’s letter, Still wrote that everyone in the campus community is asked to comply with the university’s health and safety requirements, including a daily check for COVID-19 symptoms; wearing a face covering around other people; washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; using a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol when hand washing is not possible; and maintaining at least six feet of physical distance from others.

Fall semester classes began Wednesday.

In early August, the college announced it would delay the semester’s start by two weeks, to Aug. 26, because of an increase in COVID-19 cases.

At that time, the college explained that employees were being tested and that test kits were mailed to students to be taken at home before they returned to campus.