Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community:
We have learned that a Georgetown staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual, who was last on campus on March 16, is now at their permanent residence and doing fine. The university has identified those members of our community who may have been in close contact with this individual and reached out to notify them. Further, this individual’s local health department is identifying people who have been in direct contact with anyone testing positive for COVID-19 so that they can self-quarantine and watch for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days from their last day of contact. Out of an abundance of caution, we are reaching out to you to make you aware of these developments.
We remind all members of our community that if you are feeling sick, or if you have been in close contact with someone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-quarantine (stay at home for at least 14 days) after your exposure. If home, you should not come to campus during this time.
If you start to develop symptoms, including fever, coughing or shortness of breath, please be in contact with your doctor or local hospital. Georgetown’s Health Information site is available as a resource if you are feeling sick, have been in contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, or need best practices for self-quarantine and social distancing.
Moving forward, we will notify our community of any new, confirmed cases through Georgetown’s COVID-19 Resource Page. If you would like to receive a daily update of new alerts posted to this site, subscribe to our daily digest. This will be the best and most current source of information about confirmed COVID-19 cases, and we encourage you to regularly check for updates.
We are respecting the privacy and medical confidentiality of our community members who have tested positive for COVID-19. While it is understandable to question if you have come into contact with someone who has a confirmed case, please remember:
- The public health department in the jurisdiction where each person who tests positive lives will determine who needs to be contacted based on its investigation of each case.
- With the ongoing community spread of COVID-19, the most important thing for all of us to do is practice good health hygiene and social distancing and follow the guidance from U.S. and local health authorities.
Please be vigilant about following CDC guidance for monitoring your health and self-isolating. Please keep these things in mind and help support both the individuals who have COVID-19 and our entire community.
Sincerely,
Vince WinklerPrins, MD, FAAFP
Chief Public Health Officer