University of Louisiana at Lafayette: 2 students in on-campus apartment test positive
William Taylor Potter
Two students who shared an on-campus apartment at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette tested positive for COVID-19, the university announced Saturday.
The university released a statement saying the COVID-19 Student Affairs Response Team activated protocols for student care and the health and safety of the campus after the diagnoses.
UL spokesman Eric Maron said there were no classes on campus when the diagnoses occurred. He said the university has assisted with contact tracing to contact others who may have come into contact with the affected students.
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Maron said the students alerted UL when they developed symptoms and were tested, calling them "responsible" for their actions.
Under the guidelines, the students are able to choose if they will isolate on campus or somewhere else. If they isolate on campus, they receive instructions and items to help them care for themselves during isolation, UL said.
One student has moved off campus for isolation, and the other is doing on-campus isolation.
The response team will also contact the student isolating on campus twice daily and delivery three meals to their door each day.
The protocols require affected students to remain in their rooms at all times for a minimum for 14 days, monitor symptoms, and continue to practice good hygiene and keep their surroundings clean.
At the end of 14 days, the response team and Student Health Services will consult with health officials before allowing the student to leave isolation. No visitors will be allowed in an on-campus residence where a student was isolated before it has been professionally cleaned.
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UL said public health officials have contacted other members of the campus community who may have had direct contact with the two students. These individuals are asked to self-quarantine and monitor their own health for 14 days.
The university developed these policies along with the Louisiana Department of Health in March, when cases of the virus were steadily growing throughout the state and Acadiana.