MAINE, USA — Colby College has reported that a staff member in the college's athletic department has tested positive for COVID-19.
Colby College issued a letter to the community stating that this is the first case in the Colby community and that the individual is isolated at home with " relatively mild symptoms."
The Maine Centers for Disease Control & Prevention was contacted and the staff member has reached out to those with whom they were in contact with. As a result, those people have been asked to self-quarantine.
Colby College, in an attempt to flatten the curve, asked students to leave the campus by this past Sunday announcing their plan to move to online learning effective March 30.
In the statement, Colby College recognized that a positive case within the community could cause added stress and anxiety.
With less than 100 students remaining on campus, and that number expected to lessen when travel becomes available, there are class deans in the Dean of Studies Office still available to all students.
At the direction of local officials, Bates College in Lewiston suspended classes at the end of the day on March 13.
Bates College reported their first case of COVID-19 on Thursday. College administrators followed protocol and promptly contacted the Maine CDC and the Medical Director at Bates Health Services.
Bates College issues a public announcement sharing the information with the community. A list of individuals who were in contact with the confirmed case have been notified and are following the direction of the Maine CDC.
In an attempt to reduce the spread of the coronavirus Bates had previously announced the plan to move to remote learning effective March 23.
The Maine Centers for Disease Control & Prevention continue to give the following instruction to stop the spread of COVID-19:
- Social distance is critical to prevent the spread
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 40 seconds or use hand sanitizer
- Stay home if you don't feel well
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow