Health department orders entire Ohio University residence hall into quarantine, isolation following

Health department orders entire Ohio University residence hall into quarantine, isolation following outbreak


Less than two weeks into Ohio University’s second phase of reopening, the Athens City-County Health Department ordered Boyd Hall to be vacated after 19 of its 94 residents tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Those who tested positive for the virus were immediately relocated to residence halls where they will be isolated, a university spokesperson confirmed with The Athens NEWS. The other 78 students were considered close contacts under the definition provided by the state based on their shared living space and “typical shared activities” and were relocated to separate dorms where they will be quarantined until Oct. 21, according to a press release from the university.

The spokesperson wasn’t able to specify which residence halls the students were relocated to because of privacy laws, but she indicated that several were put to use. A Boyd resident who did not test positive told The NEWS they were relocated to Adams Hall on OU’s South Green.

Meals and other resources will be provided to the students for the duration of their quarantine and the university is coordinating with professors to ensure coursework can be completed remotely, the release said.

Read more: https://www.athensnews.com/news/campus/health-department-orders-entire-ohio-university-residence-hall-into-quarantine-isolation-following-outbreak/article_edc2daf0-ea51-5392-8f0a-f4e2061cb67b.html