Emergency Notification: COVID-19 Message

Dr. Emilio Carranco, TXST Chief Medical Officer and Director, Student Health Center  | April 3, 2020

Email sent to faculty, staff and students

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students, 

Today, the university learned that a student in our Texas State University community tested positive for COVID-19 on March 30, 2020.  The student came back to campus with a parent to move out of the residence hall on March 27, 2020.  The student was asymptomatic at that time and did not have close contact with anyone other than the parent.  The student has had only mild symptoms thus far and we hope for a quick and complete recovery.  Out of respect for the individual’s privacy, we are only sharing identifying information with public health officials. 

The Department of Housing and Residential Life developed a phased move-out process as a social distancing measure to reduce the risk of close or prolonged contact between persons during the move-out process.  Since the student was asymptomatic and had no close contact with anyone on campus besides the mother, the risk of exposure to others was very low.  It has been determined that no particular actions are necessary at this time.  However, this notice is being sent to comply with the requirements of the Clery Act.

Under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), institutions are required to immediately notify the campus community upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation occurring on the campus that involves an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees. The Clery Act includes the outbreak of a serious illness as a significant emergency. Although this specific case does not rise to the level of significant emergency, the university is erring on the side of caution and acting in the spirit of the Clery Act.  Consistent with guidance from the Department of Education, Texas State will carefully analyze any subsequent or additional COVID-19 incidents on a case-by-case basis and will issue additional reports only if other significant factors call for a follow-up notification.

Sincerely,

Emilio Carranco, M.D., M.S.

TXST Chief Medical Officer and Director, Student Health Center