Update regarding COVID-19 from President Houston Davis to students, faculty, and staff
Earlier today, we were notified that a UCA employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee’s last time on campus was Monday, March 16, after which the employee was telecommuting, as advised in our March 16 communication to faculty and staff. Following Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) guidelines, university officials have carefully investigated all possible contacts and have already notified all those individuals on campus with whom the employee is known to have come in close contact. All of those individuals are entering the mandated self-quarantine period.
We are following the guidance of the CDC and the ADH in responding to the situation. ADH protocol requires that state health officials identify and notify anyone that the employee has had close contact with outside of the work environment. University officials are also following the CDC’s protocol for sanitizing those buildings and areas in which the individual had worked.
As communicated last week, we are continuing to shift to only the most essential services for those students who need to remain on campus. As of today, March 22, and until further notice, any remaining campus dining services will be to-go only. Other campus services may also have more restricted hours this week and for the remainder of the semester. As a reminder, changes to the hours of essential services will be reflected on our COVID-19 Essential Operating Hours page. Please check that page regularly, along with our main COVID-19 page, for the most up-to-date information.
As I have said in previous communications, if you are concerned about any health symptoms you may be experiencing, please contact the UCA Health Clinic or your local health care provider immediately.
Thank you all again for your cooperation, leadership, and resilience as our campus community navigates this very challenging season.