Rowan Workshop Attendee Tests Positive For Coronavirus: Officials

GLASSBORO, NJ — A guest attendee at a recent Rowan University workshop has tested positive for new coronavirus, the university announced. A Pennsylvania resident who attended a workshop in Wilson Hall on March 7 tested positive for the virus, according to university officials.

The person was only on campus briefly, and didn’t show any symptoms until March 9, according to officials. They are now in self-isolation at home.

As of Thursday, there are 742 positive cases of coronavirus, including nine deaths, in New Jersey. Read more here: Gov. Phil Murphy: 4 More NJ Coronavirus Deaths, 318 New Cases

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Officials believe the person had only limited contact with anyone other than those who attended the workshop. Based on the circumstances, the Gloucester County Health Department believes the risk to the campus community from this case to be low, according to officials. The room and building have been cleaned on their normal schedule several times since March 7.

The university is notifying anyone who had direct contact with the person during the workshop, and is relaying them to the Gloucester County Health Department and CDC guidelines to self-quarantine for 14 days since their last contact with the individual.

The Gloucester County Health Department is not recommending further precautionary measures at Rowan, but university officials said they will continue to monitor the situation and will advise appropriate individuals or groups accordingly.

The university’s Emergency Operations Team is working with state and local health departments to combat the spread of the virus, and the university said it will continue to provide updated information to the community.

“We wish for a strong and rapid recovery for the person today confirmed to have COVID-19, but we know this is likely to be just the first of many cases near and within the Rowan communities in Glassboro, Camden and Stratford,” officials said in a statement. “While today’s news may be unsettling, we expect we will learn of other cases as the virus continues to spread. We pledge to be vigilant with safeguards and forthcoming with guidance to help our students, employees and broader community withstand the challenges we face.”

The university is currently on an extended spring break, and is scheduled to resume classes March 27.

The New Jersey Department of Health has partnered with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System to open and operate a call center (1-800-222-1222) for public use regarding questions, concerns, and other information related to coronavirus spread in New Jersey. More information is also available on the state's coronavirus webpage.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know