USF announced on Sunday a student tested positive for COVID-19 at the St. Petersburg campus. Courtesy of U.S. Department of State
By Jonah Hinebaugh
A student at USF St. Petersburg has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
According to Carrie O’Brion, director of marketing and communications for the campus, the student did not live on campus.
The student, who was not identified, is self-isolating and being monitored by the Pinellas County division of the Florida Department of Health, according to the latest advisory from USF system President Steve Currall.
“There is no need for further contact-tracing at the university for this case, as the student has not been to campus since late February,” the advisory said. “We sincerely wish this student a full and rapid recovery.”
No further details were released about the student.
The advisory urges faculty and staff who are concerned about their health to contact Dr. Lynette Menezes in USF Health at healthglobal@usf.edu.
While residence halls on the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses remain open with limited services available, students across the USF system are being encouraged not to return to campus until at least May 7.
University employees are also being asked to work remotely if possible. Spring semester classes will resume online tomorrow, March 23.
The notice comes four days after the university announced a USF Tampa employee tested positive for the disease. The person came in contact with at least 13 students and several employees.
As of 3 p.m. Sunday, the number of statewide cases had increased to 830, with 768 of them being Florida residents, according to the Department of Health.
Of those, 30 were in Pinellas County and 50 in Hillsborough. There are 37 tests awaiting results in Pinellas and 11 in Hillsborough.
So far, the health department has reported 13 deaths from the disease across the state.
University officials are emphasizing the importance of social distancing in limiting the spread of the disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend at least six feet of distance between oneself and others.
The health department also recommends people avoid gatherings of 10 people or more and to limit interactions with people if you are 65 or older and have underlying or chronic health conditions –– such as compromised immunity, diabetes or heart or lung disease.
The recommendations also include frequently washing hands for at least 20 seconds and using a 60 percent or more alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
This is a developing story. Stay with crowsneststpete.com for updates.
