UCF said it will begin its contact tracing and isolation processes after a student on campus tested positive for the more-infectious new variant of COVID-19.
Dr. Michael Deichen, associate vice president of UCF Student Health Services, said the more-infectious variants of COVID-19 were first reported in Orange County last week.
“This week, we learned that this strain is on our campus, with a report of one student case,” he said. “UCF has enacted our standard contact tracing and isolation processes.”
Deichen said contact tracing indicates small group gatherings to be a source of UCF’s positive cases.
“We encourage you to limit interactions with people outside of your immediate pod, especially when masks are not worn,” he said.
UCF’s most recent update shows 115 new positive COVID-19 cases.
UCF spokesman Chad Binette told Knight News the on-campus testing site administered 313 tests between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, and the dashboard shows 42 student tests were positive for COVID-19 — about a 13.4% student test positivity rate.
This positivity rate only accounts for tests administered by UCF’s testing partner that were ordered by, and reported to, Student Health Services.
In the most recent update, 68 students self-reported positive tests, while five faculty and staff members self-reported positive tests.
The dashboard shows UCF has been made aware of 3,608 total positive cases of COVID-19, both on- and off-campus, from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Feb. 6.
Binette said no random testing of specific groups on campus took place this week — a practice UCF first started in the fall.
Deichen said the spread of the virus can be controlled if everyone remains diligent and takes the necessary steps to keep the community healthy and safe.
“This is not a time to panic, but rather to remember how important it is to prioritize health and safety by adopting the practices that are proven to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and these emerging variants,” Deichen said.
He said everyone must continue to wear a mask, and follow the updated CDC guidance on mask wearing — he said it is one of the most important measures you can take.
Deichen said individuals should remove themselves from situations that go against public health recommendations, and reminded Knight Nation to Armor Up.
