The following is from President Joseph Savoie's message to the campus community:
Dear students, faculty and staff members,
Today, we learned that one of our students has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the University’s first confirmed case of the virus.
Let me begin by asking all of you to join me in offering thoughts and best wishes to the affected student as they recover.
This student does not live on campus, nor were they a student resident this semester. The student did not exhibit symptoms while on campus, which current understanding suggests reduces the likelihood of transmission.
Public health officials have been in touch with students, staff members, and faculty who may have had direct contact with the student.
Those individuals are being asked to follow guidance from the CDC and state health agencies, which is to self-isolate, monitor their own health for the next 14 days, and seek medical attention should they develop symptoms.
In line with University policy and guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the student is self-isolating with family at home.