Texas State responds to coronavirus concerns at residence hall

Texas State University responded to claims that students with COVID-19 were being moved into a residence hall without notifying students living there. 

In a Reddit thread posted Thursday, a Texas State student posted that they were a resident assistant at Sterry Hall and claimed that the university’s Department of Housing and Residential Life began moving students “who have COVID onto the 4th floor of the building.”  

A university spokesperson, however, stated that Texas State isn’t isolating anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in its residence halls. The university is using empty space in some residence halls for students who are not showing symptoms but are reported close contacts to those who have tested positive for the coronavirus. 

“Texas State students who report a positive COVID-19 test result will not be allowed to remain in their residence halls,” Texas State said in an email response. “They are asked to go home for isolation/treatment and recovery. If students are not able to return home, they are provided with a designated isolation space in a university-owned apartment, not a residence hall, to reside until they can depart or recover.” 

Texas State has reported 206 total COVID-19 cases since March 1 as of Saturday. The university has seen an uptick in cases over the last two weeks with 55 students and six faculty/staff members testing positive for the coronavirus as of Saturday. The university said all students, faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 or who are identified as a someone who has come into close contact with someone who has tested positive should reported it in Bobcat Trace — https://webapps.sa.txstate.edu/bobcattrace.