Anna Radinsky/PantherNOW Staff
UPDATE 12:39 a.m.
On Thursday night an FIU department chair emailed staff about a student who tested positive for coronavirus. Later that night an FIU spokesperson said that the results were not confirmed by the university.
A student employed in the chemistry and biochemistry stockroom had been tested but results have not yet been confirmed.
“We are aware that the Chair of Chemistry sent out an email announcing a coronavirus case,” FIU spokeswoman Maydel Santana said in an email to the Miami Herald. “However, at this time, we do not have the necessary details to confirm that report. We are working to get accurate information and will then make the appropriate notifications if any.”
The last time the student was in the stockroom was Wednesday, Mar. 11, according to the email sent to employees in the chemistry department.
“At least 16 people in close contact with him/her need to be quarantined,” said Yong Cai, the chair of FIU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the same email to the chemistry department.
“I do not have detailed information about the case at this moment. However, I will certainly keep you posted if I do,” said Dr. Cai.
If the student is confirmed positive, he or she would be the second known person affiliated with FIU to be tested positive.
On Tuesday, an FIU staff member was tested positive for the novel coronavirus, most likely due to a travel-related case. The person has not returned to the campus since the trip, according to FIU.
“We are aware that the Chair of Chemistry sent out an email announcing a coronavirus case. However, at this time, we do not have the necessary details to confirm that report. We are working to get accurate information and will then make the appropriate notifications if any,” FIU tweeted in response to the Miami Herald article.
This story is ongoing and will be updated.
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