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Student, two faculty members test positive for COVID-19, says Baylor University president

By Elizabeth Evans
Published  March 20, 2020 4:33pm CDT
Coronavirus
FOX 7 Austin

WACO, Texas - A Baylor University student and two faculty members have tested positive this week for COVID-19, says university president Linda A. Livingstone in a letter to students, faculty, staff, and parents.

Livingstone says the cases are all travel-related and that the university anticipates they will have additional positive cases during the days and weeks ahead.

Baylor University

The letter says the student returned to Waco after traveling out of state to an area with high community transmission but is self-isolated away from campus. The letter does not say where the student traveled from. The faculty members also did not return to campus and have been in self-isolation since traveling home.

The letter says those identified as having had potential exposure to the new cases will be directly notified by public health officials in coordination with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.

"With one confirmed case today [March 19] and six others announced yesterday [March 18] in Waco and McLennan County, it is very clear that this health crisis is real, and it is impacting our city and Baylor community," said Livingstone. "We must continue to do everything we can to strengthen our personal health protection and heighten our social distancing practices, as well as follow the instructions of federal, state and local officials."

Livingstone says students, faculty, staff, and parents can follow the number of cases diagnosed in Waco and McLennan County on the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District website and can check Baylor's COVID-19 website for the latest information.

Texas declares public health disaster, closes restaurant dining rooms and schools

The orders take effect at midnight and will go through midnight on April 3.

On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a public health disaster, the first in Texas since 1901. The executive orders, which take effect at midnight Friday, March 20 and go through midnight on Friday, April 3, will bring the state in line with CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

RELATED: CoronavirusNOW.com, FOX launches national hub for COVID-19 news and updates

The public health disaster orders schools to be closed statewide until at least April 3. The disaster also orders a ban on dine-in eating and gathering in groups of more than 10 as the state ramps up efforts to battle the coronavirus. Abbott's order also will shut down gyms and bars. It also bans visits to nursing and retirement homes unless there is a critical need.

What does the public health disaster entail?

Abbott said the statewide orders are to make sure Texas is following guidance provided by the federal government.

READ THE FULL LETTER BELOW:

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents,

Today, we learned from the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District that a student within our Baylor community has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). As I shared with you yesterday, two of our faculty members also have tested positive. These cases are all travel-related. I know this news is difficult to hear and deeply unsettling to all of us, and unfortunately, we anticipate that we will have additional positive cases during the days and weeks ahead as COVID-19 continues to spread across the country.

The student returned to Waco after traveling out of state to an area with high community transmission, but self-isolated away from the Baylor campus. Our faculty members also did not return to the Baylor campus and have been in self-isolation since traveling home. Let us all join together and continue to pray for the current health and recovery of these members of our Baylor Family, as well as the thousands of others around the country and world who have been impacted by this terrible virus.

It’s important that we all understand how public health officials handle positive cases. Individuals identified as having had potential exposure to the new Baylor-related COVID-19 cases will be directly notified by public health officials in coordination with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District. To follow the number of cases diagnosed in Waco and McLennan County, please visit the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District website. Also, please continue to check Baylor’s COVID-19 website for the latest information.

With one confirmed case today and six others announced yesterday in Waco and McLennan County, it is very clear that this health crisis is real, and it is impacting our city and Baylor community. We must continue to do everything we can to strengthen our personal health protection and heighten our social distancing practices, as well as follow the instructions of federal, state and local officials.

Note that COVID-19 affects all age groups – even college-aged students – and the social distancing guidelines are for the health and welfare of everyone. And more specifically for our students – Please do not congregate in groups or large gatherings either in Waco or in your permanent hometowns.

Each of you are constantly in my prayers, and I am deeply grateful for how our Baylor Family has come together to support one another. May we all continue to be vigilant and sustained by our God of grace, peace and hope as we all navigate these challenges in the days and weeks ahead.

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

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