The University has recently identified five cases of COVID-19 in the Balz-Dobie residence hall on Grounds through the UVA wastewater and individual testing programs. All 188 students in Balz-Dobie were notified of the cases within the dorm this afternoon. 1/9
The University will test all Balz-Dobie residents this evening and ask them to remain in their rooms, except when using the restroom or retrieving meals, until their test results are received. 2/9
Students who receive positive test results will be moved to University isolation rooms. Students who were close contacts of people infected with COVID-19 will be moved to University quarantine rooms. 3/9
UVA coordinates closely on all positive cases with the Virginia Department of Health and Thomas Jefferson Health District to support contact tracing and limit the spread of the virus. 4/9
Staff from University Student Affairs, Housing and Residence Life, and Student Health and Wellness are on-site at Balz-Dobie and offering residents resources and support. 5/9
Students, parents, or UVA employees who have questions or concerns should contact the Return to Grounds Call Center 833-454-6902 or email returntogrounds@virginia.edu. 6/9
University leaders and public health experts have spent months planning for a return of students and a potential increase in cases. 7/9
We continue to expand our testing capacity, add quarantine and isolation rooms as necessary, and monitor our overall capacity to respond to cases and limit the spread of the virus. 8/9
UPDATE – The University has concluded testing all students in Echols and Kellogg residence halls after wastewater and individual testing identified 4 cases in each building and students were asked to quarantine in place temporarily (Thread, 1/10)
(1 of the 4 cases in each building was identified after the initial notification and prior to follow-up testing). (2/10)
Follow-up testing identified an additional 2 cases in Echols for a total of 6. Testing in Kellogg identified 7 additional cases for a total of 11. (3/10)