8:15 p.m. Wednesday update
An additional three COVID-19 cases that are tied to the University of Idaho have been announced by President C. Scott Green in an email Wednesday night.
Two cases are UI students though neither study on Moscow’s campus. The first is a 21-year-old male Boise-based student who was last in class March 19. He has mild symptoms and is self-isolating at home.
The second case is a 38-year-old male who lives out of state and is a distance learning graduate student. He was confirmed with COVID-19 though a specific date was not given.
The third case which affected UI was not a student but a 30 to 39-year-old male with mild symptoms who was diagnosed in Whitman County. He was on Moscow’s campus March 24 and is recovering at home.
“We wish all those suffering from coronavirus a quick and full recovery. These cases are a sharp reminder that the coronavirus is in our communities and we must all do our part to flatten the curve. No individual or age group is immune to the potential of infection,” Green said in the email.
Green added UI will not announce each individual case as the numbers rise, but will let public health officials know of the people who could have been exposed.
Alex Brizee can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @alex_brizee
7:30 p.m. Wednesday update
An 18-year-old University of Idaho student who moved out of the residence halls on Sunday has a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Canyon County, according to a VandalAlert.
He was on campus last week and is experiencing mild symptoms.
The Residence Halls are the only confirmed places on campus which could have been exposed to COVID-19, Jodi Walker, UI director of communications said.
ICYM: Latah County has confirmed the first case of COVID-19
Walker added the specific residence hall could not be verified as she said UI has an obligation to let the students in the specific hall know first.
UI is contacting those who may have been exposed to COVID-19 on campus and is working to isolate affected students.
“We strongly encourage students on campus who may have been exposed to remain to protect themselves and others and for all students to follow social distancing guidelines,” the VandalAlert said.
How the student came into contact with COVID-19 is still unknown, though he was not symptomatic while on campus.
Alex Brizee can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @alex_brizee