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Press release from Humboldt State University:

One HSU student resident tested positive in the latest round of COVID-19 testing.

As of Friday, Humboldt State University had conducted COVID-19 tests for nearly all students moving into campus residence halls. A small number of students have not yet arrived and are expected to move in over the next two days.

Humboldt State has administered approximately 600 tests, and County Public Health officials have shared with HSU that approximately 600 test results have been completed. The 7-day positive rate of those results is approximately 0.67 percent, compared to a county rate of 2.2 percent and the state rate of 6.4 percent.

All four of the students with positive tests were asymptomatic. They had not shown symptoms or felt ill prior to traveling to this community.

The affected students have been moved to rooms on campus that are set aside for isolation. The University is providing ongoing support including health and wellness checks with the students, as well as delivery of meals and other necessities. 

“We are checking in often with the students who are in isolation, and they all seem to be doing well,” said Donyet King, Director of Residence Life. “I’m really proud of how our students in the residence halls have been doing as far as following health and safety guidelines, even before they moved to campus. We had very few cases, and none where the students had symptoms before moving in.”

King says affected students have been compliant and cooperative, and Residence Life employees report students are understanding and appreciative of safety efforts.  

Based on its policies and protocols, the University is protecting the privacy rights of the students while also working to share information necessary to protect the health of the campus and the broader community. HSU continues to work closely with Humboldt County Public Health, which will determine whether there are members of the campus community who need to be advised of their risk of exposure to affected people. 

Comprehensive testing is continuing for all students living on campus this year. Campus residents will be tested multiple times during the course of a 14-day quarantine period. This enhanced level of testing is intended to identify those who may be asymptomatic and isolate them quickly, and was implemented late last week with the help of additional resources that the state provided from the state and county. 

In addition to the required testing for students living on campus, all other HSU students may opt to be tested at the Student Health Center and all students showing symptoms will be tested. Student-athletes are also being tested periodically per state requirements.
Residence Life and the University continue to provide a host of services to students preparing for the fall semester. Services include technological support, counseling and advising, mental and physical health services, basic needs support and, more. 

This advisory provides all the information the University will share about the cases. 

Guidelines and Support

The campus community is encouraged to stay safe and healthy, and to help protect the health of the community, by adhering to the Social Responsibility Commitment. This includes wearing a face covering, maintaining social distancing, and staying at home if you are sick or have a fever.

The ongoing challenges of the pandemic can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Any students who would like to talk with a counselor can contact Counseling & Psychological Services at 707.826.3236. Staff or faculty needing additional support may call the Employee Assistance Program at 707.443.7358.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the California Department of Public Health website.

For more information about HSU’s plans for the fall semester, visit the HSU Campus Ready website.