FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Officials at Fairmont State University report a food service worker has tested positive and the number students with the virus has increased to eight. Additionally, Pence Hall will transitioned to a dedicated quarantine facility.
The employee of a third-party food service vendor was ordered to remain off campus, consistent with school COVID policy. Following contact tracing by the Marion County Health Department, no other campus health or safety concerns were reported.
Because most of Fairmont State’s campus housing have communal bathrooms, students were quarantined at a Bridgeport hotel.
Over the next week, students living in Pence Hall will be relocated and students in quarantine at the hotel will be moved in. The Bridgeport location will be gradually phased out.
Officials say the majority of students in quarantine are not due to a positive COVID-19 test result, but because they were exposed to someone with COVID-19, or who is symptomatic. The quarantine period continues until the Marion County Health Department completes their contact tracing investigation, and the student is released by both the Marion County Health Department and Fairmont State University.
Students who test positive are monitored by the COVID Task Force, COVID Student Liaison, and Student Health.
Students in quarantine still have access to courses through synchronous instruction. Classrooms have been equipped with video cameras and live streaming capabilities so the faculty can provide broadcasts of each class.
Eight individuals have now recovered since data reporting began in late August.