EOU responding to additional COVID-19 cases
By Paul Hall on Monday, January 18th, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – Following newly reported positive COVID-19 cases, EOU will be listed in outbreak status by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) this week. The OHA considers a cluster of five or more interconnected cases within a distinct space and time an “outbreak,” unless a more likely alternative source is identified.
These cases occurred within a student pod, and all affected students were immediately isolated. Keeping students separated in pods (among roommates, suitemates and/or teammates) for the first week of term has greatly limited the extent of exposure. Contact tracing determined that no university employees were exposed. No facilities have been impacted outside of students’ personal living areas.
EOU is following its established plan for responding to the outbreak. Each student has been assigned a case manager to provide support and wrap-around services. Additional identifying information is being withheld to protect these students’ personal health information.
“We anticipated a number of positive test results from proactively testing students prior to the start of term,” said Vice President for University Advancement Tim Seydel. “These cases were detected after the initial round of testing. Students began experiencing symptoms and did the right thing by getting tested again. They acted responsibly and followed guidelines, which is why exposure has remained minimal.”
He said the university has ample capacity to respond to and contain the current caseload, and is coordinating with public health authorities.
Additional case information and daily updates can be found on the university’s data dashboard at eou.edu/coronavirus/data-dashboard.
