Required emergency notification of positive COVID-19 cases on campus

Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

We learned today from the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District that two Baylor University students have tested positive for COVID-19. The students live in on-campus housing and have self-isolated, according to CDC and local public health guidelines. Contact tracing is being coordinated through the local health district in conjunction with Baylor Health Services. Those in the Baylor community who may have come into close contact with the positive cases are notified directly and given further instructions to prevent the spread.

As part of Clery Act requirements for all universities, Baylor University is required to send this initial Emergency Notification* to students and employees of a positive COVID-19 case(s) on campus. Additional notifications of confirmed Baylor-related positive cases will be available through a daily status report, which also includes the number of positive cases in Waco/McLennan County and the State of Texas, on the University's COVID-19 website at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus. This website also includes important information regarding COVID-19 prevention, symptoms, testing and more from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With the increase in COVID-19 cases in our local community and state, we would like to remind you to continue to strengthen your personal health protection:

• Practice social distancing by putting at least 6 feet between yourself and others, including covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering, especially in public places where 6 feet of separation is not feasible.
• Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Clean and then disinfect frequently used surfaces.
• Cover coughs/sneezes with a tissue or inside of your elbow.
• Monitor your health for symptoms, and stay home if you're sick.
• Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

COVID-19 affects all age groups - even college-aged students - and the social distancing guidelines, including wearing face coverings when around others, are to protect yourself and care for others as well.

If you are a Baylor student and concerned that you may have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, call the Baylor Health Services dedicated nurse line at 254-710-4939. This phone line is for questions or concerns about the coronavirus and will be answered by nurses from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Baylor Health Services will be able to make appointments at this phone number for testing for the coronavirus if you meet several required criteria.

Baylor employees who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should follow CDC guidelines and contact their personal healthcare provider.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit the websites of the Centers for Disease Control, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, as well as Baylor's COVID-19 website.

Sincerely,

Baylor University
Department of Public Safety

*Under appropriate circumstances, the Baylor University Department of Public Safety will issue emergency notifications, and/or timely warnings regarding criminal activity or safety issues concerning campus as required by law. For more information on Emergency Notification/Timely Warnings - Baylor Alerts, please visit the Baylor Department of Public Safety website.