KENT, Ohio - Kent State University has provided a new update in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The communication was sent to students, faculty, and staff Monday.

The university has established a COVID Response Team located at DeWeese Health Center.

This team is responsible for managing COVID-19-related information and procedures regarding testing, isolation, and quarantine situations. This team will serve all campus locations.

The chief university physician leads the COVID Response Team, and its members include a coordinator, nurses, and expert public health staff.

Any Kent State community member who has been exposed to, diagnosed with, or shows symptoms of COVID-19 must contact the COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525.

Contact the COVID Response Team if you:

  • Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are being tested for the virus due to symptoms suggestive of the infection.
  • Have had close contact with an individual confirmed to have COVID-19 by laboratory testing or medical clinician. 
  • Live on campus in university housing and have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
  • Have returned from international travel, regardless of country.
  • Are entering Ohio after travel to states reporting positive testing rates of 15% or higher according to the state of Ohio's COVID-19 Travel Advisory.
  • If you have emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for the virus:

  • Isolate at home and call your doctor immediately to seek medical advice.
  • Always call ahead before visiting your doctor.
  • Notify the Kent State COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525.
    Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms and a positive test result) from 

The university has allocated space on campus for students living in the residence halls to isolate if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 safely.

If students have been in close contact - within six feet for at least 15 minutes - of someone who has COVID-19, or through contact tracing, it is determined the student has been in close contact with a positive or probable COVID-19 case, the student will be notified by the COVID Response Team or the local health department and advised to quarantine.

In the event, the local and or state health officials determine there is an outbreak on a campus, Kent State Public Safety, and University Communications and Marketing will issue a university-wide communication.

Exposed areas on campus will be disinfected according to CDC guidelines. The COVID Response Team and local health department will determine the areas to be cleaned and disinfected based on information gathered during contact investigation. Find more information on cleaning and disinfecting facilities, outdoor spaces, and sidewalks.

If you have questions regarding coronavirus/COVID-19, please call 1-833-4ASKODH (1-833-427-5634), the COVID Response Team, at 330-672-2525 or email coronavirus@kent.edu.