UWSP Employee Recovering from COVID-19

UWSP Chancellor Bernie Patterson informed faculty, staff, and students that an employee at the university was confirmed to have had COVID-19.

“We learned Monday night that an employee was confirmed with COVID-19. This is UW-Stevens Point’s first case,” he wrote. “The person is recovering at home, and the isolation period has passed. To protect the privacy of the individual’s health information, no further details will be shared.”

He added that when an individual is confirmed to have COVID-19, county health officials are notified. Portage County public health officials contacted those who may have been in close contact with the individual and provided guidance to those people.

UW-Stevens Point took immediate steps to respond.

“Appropriate notifications have been made, and the affected areas are being thoroughly cleaned. The procedures we have in place for this and any subsequent cases aim to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff members,” said Patterson. “We follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Portage County Division of Health.”

He also urged everyone to stay home, as the governor has ordered.

“Those who can work from home are required to do so, avoiding coming to campus unless your job duties require you to be on-site,” he said. “Physical distancing is vital to slowing this outbreak. Do not gather in groups and maintain six feet of distance from other people when you have to be in public areas. Thank you to our students and employees on campus who are following this expectation.”

“In spite of these uncertain times – indeed, because of them – please be kind to each other. We are committed to protecting our university community as well as the confidential health information of individuals.”