Carnegie Mellon student tests positive for covid-19 after returning from spring break

A Carnegie Mellon University student has tested positive for covid-19 days after returning to Pittsburgh from spring break, university officials said.

“This case of coronavirus in our campus community is a sobering reality, and it is a reminder that every group is potentially vulnerable to the spread of the virus,” CMU President Farnam Jahanian said in an emergency alert issued to the campus community on Friday. “At the same time, I also want to reassure you that we have been taking every precaution and we continue to take this situation extremely seriously.”

The ill student is recovering in isolation at an off-campus residence.

“My heart goes out to our student who is ill, and to the families and loved ones who are affected,” Jahanian said. “We are doing everything we can to help them through this difficult time.”

The student is being monitored by health officials for any worsening symptoms.

“We will continue to provide support and appropriate medical care as the student self-isolates and recovers,” Jahanian said. “The student will remain in self-isolation until fully recovered.”

The student was last on campus when tested Monday by University Health Services at a “secure testing facility,” CMU officials said.

No information was released about where the student traveled from or any underlying health conditions.

“Because of privacy laws, we are not able to provide additional information about the individual,” Jahanian said.

CMU officials are working with the Allegheny County Health Department “to take the appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of our campus community,” he said.

Such steps include contacting individuals whom the affected student might have exposed to the novel coronavirus.

“Communication with those who have been in close contact with the individual is in progress,” Jahanian said, “and they will be required to also self-isolate for 14 days.”