A staff member at William & Mary tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a memo posted Saturday on the university’s website.
“This is the first and only case of COVID-19 involving a member of the W&M community. That is very likely to change in the near future as more cases are diagnosed in the surrounding Williamsburg area,” the update said.
The Virginia Department of Health is hoping to contact those who may have had close interaction with the person.
The university said it would not be releasing any additional information about the case, citing privacy laws and its own policies.
The school announced Wednesday that it would transition to online learning beginning March 23. Students were strongly encouraged to stay home. On-campus services — including access to residence and dining halls — is limited to those with “compelling reasons” to be there, according to an email from William & Mary President Katherine Rowe.
The Virginia Department of Health reported 41 cases of people testing positive for COVID-19 on Saturday afternoon. Eight of the people who have tested positive, so far, live in the Peninsula Health District.
William & Mary notified students, faculty and staff Thursday that a staff member who works at Miller Hall, which houses the Mason School of Business and event spaces, was exposed to a possible case of COVID-19.
The staff member did not have any symptoms but was said to be self-quarantining. Other staff members who worked closely with the individual were asked to quarantine as well.
The university did not say if the confirmed case was related to its earlier report.
Jessica Nolte, 757-247-4513, jnolte@dailypress.com
