UTA student has tested positive for COVID-19
ARLINGTON, Texas - A student at the University of Texas at Arlington has tested positive for COVID-19.
The school confirmed the positive test on Saturday after being informed of the results on Friday, but no details have been released about the student at this time.
It’s not yet known if this positive case is one of the three reported in Tarrant County, or if the person tested positive somewhere else.
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A release from UTA added that the university is working closely with Tarrant County health officials to find those who had contact with the student.
UTA declared an extended Spring Break until March 23, so there aren’t many people on campus.
Many questions are circling for the students who stayed put for break.
“People come to Arlington for the events, and now those are cancelled, so it feels even more dead,” student Alexandra Lopez said.
Even the university’s coffee shop is reducing its hours because of COVID-19.
“We don’t want to risk it because of the virus,” student Puru Vijaykumar added.
The university did not release information on if the student lives or works on campus, but said the student was not a part of any of UTA's official international travel programs.
It’s not yet known if the student may have traveled on their own to a country with a significant outbreak.
“Anybody could potentially have something,” student Yasmeen Mohamed said. “And, I mean, there’s a confirmed case.”
Mohamed was on campus Saturday to get ahead on schoolwork before classes move to online only following Spring Break.
“I know that there’s not going to be a lot of people on campus, so I guess there’s not much really for me to worry about,” she added.
The school is now allowing faculty and staff to work off campus through telecommunication, and says it's enhancing sanitation across campus.
Some of the students are concerned, even with the actions UTA is taking.
On Friday, Tarrant County officials identified a second and third presumptive case of COVID-19, but have not said if the student is a part of those numbers.