By Taylor Cripe
The revelation that at least three members of the Utah State University community have contracted COVID-19 has students worried about further spread of the disease.
“The virus being at USU is much more concerning,” junior Camaree Burnside said following a Tuesday announcement that one employee and one student had contracted the disease caused by coronavirus. That announcement was followed Wednesday by a university statement indicating that another student had also tested positive.
Burnside said the virus’ confirmed arrival among members of the Aggie community has reinforced her fears about coronavirus.
“It makes you wonder if you already had it, or if you could still get it,” Burnside said.
By some research estimates, as many as 50 percent of coronavirus carriers may be asymptomatic, potentially spreading the disease without even knowing they have it.
Senior Natalie Peterson said it was only a matter of time before more cases appeared at the university.
“There are definitely more people infected than we know,” Peterson said.
Senior Natalie Peterson said it was only a matter of time before more cases appeared at the university.
“There are definitely more people infected than we know,” Peterson said.
She is frustrated that more people are not following Center for Disease Control guidelines, which encourage people to distance themselves from anyone outside of their household, wash their hands often, and proactively clean and disinfect anything that others might touch.
“Numbers in Logan are increasing,” Peterson said, “which proves that people aren’t doing what they are supposed to be doing and following CDC guidelines.”
According to the university, the employee who contracted COVID-19 has not been on campus for more than 14 days, the first student confirmed to have gotten the disease lives off campus and the second student is now out of state. However, the university cannot verify whether the three individuals were exposed to other members of the community before developing symptoms.
According to the university, the employee who contracted COVID-19 has not been on campus for more than 14 days, the first student confirmed to have gotten the disease lives off campus and the second student is now out of state. However, the university cannot verify whether the three individuals were exposed to other members of the community before developing symptoms.
“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,” USU President Noelle Cockett said in a statement. “We’ll get through this by treating each other with compassion and doing our part to prevent the spread.”
The arrival of new cases at USU may lead to an increase in safety precautions.
USU is at Level 2 of its Infectious Diseases Response Plan. Although school leaders do not know if, or when, they will be moving to a Level 1, university spokesperson Emilie Wheeler said they are “actively preparing for it.”
If USU moves to Level 1 in the response plan, even more employees will be instructed to work from home. Employees who cannot do their work from home, but are “non-essential,” will be paid through COVID-19 administrative leave, according to a March 28 update from USU.USU is at Level 2 of its Infectious Diseases Response Plan. Although school leaders do not know if, or when, they will be moving to a Level 1, university spokesperson Emilie Wheeler said they are “actively preparing for it.”
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