NEW ORLEANS — LSU's first case of coronavirus has been confirmed positive by testing, LSU Interim President Tom Galligan told students, faculty and staff via email Friday.
Only studying at LSU online, a graduate student who works in an on-campus office told LSU administrators that they tested positive for COVID-19. The people who work in the same office have been told to monitor themselves for symptoms.
The student who tested positive for the disease hasn't been on campus since March 7, Galligan told the LSU community.
Galligan seemed to be reassuring, saying the CDC doesn't define being in the same office with someone who has tested positive as "close contact."
"All of us offer our thoughts and good wishes to this student," Galligan said. "Even though we are social distancing and self-isolating, we are still one compassionate community and we stand together in hope."
For the past week while LSU classes have been canceled, LSU administrators have been escalating their cleaning procedures and frequency.
"Please be assured that our wonderful staff have thoroughly cleaned the relevant space in accordance with public health guidelines," Galligan said.
Galligan acknowledged that the positive test case was cause for concern, asking people to take care of themselves, practice social distancing, wash their hands, and avoid travel.
"Please take care of your loved ones – especially those who are older or have chronic health conditions – by avoiding those who are most at-risk and staying away from gatherings of more than 10 people," Galligan said.
For more information on LSU's response to the coronavirus click here: https://www.lsu.edu/coronavirus/
More Stories:
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.
