UMKC has been notified of three positive COVID-19 cases on campus.
- One case involves an individual who was in Suite 417 of Bloch Executive Hall on Nov. 24.
- One case involves an individual who was in Room 1219 of the Health Sciences Building on Nov. 20.
- One case involves an individual who was in the University News offices at 5237 Holmes on Nov. 20.
Any individuals who potentially may have been exposed are being contacted.
UMKC facilities staff have sanitized the affected spaces, following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on enhanced cleaning practices. In addition, staff continue to disinfect public spaces across campus, including daily disinfecting and extra cleaning of high-touch surfaces. Additional fresh air has been introduced into buildings in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Those who test positive will remain isolated as recommended by local and national guidelines. In addition, UMKC policy calls for individuals who have recovered from COVID to be cleared to return to campus by staff at the Student Health and Wellness Center, available at 816-235-6133 or studenthealth@umkc.edu.
UMKC will continue to work closely with health authorities to manage any campus exposures to COVID and to follow the recommendations of the local health department and the CDC. UMKC relies on these health experts to determine protocols for how to handle positive tests of faculty, staff, students or visitors on campus. These protocols guide campus health authorities’ assessment of positive cases and notifying any individual who may have come into close contact. In addition, protocols by local health agencies and the CDC guide the university’s practices to clean and disinfect any affected spaces and to provide additional health and medical information to affected individuals.
Actions that individuals can take to protect their own health, as well as the health and safety of the campus community, include:
• Stay home if you have COVID-like symptoms not explained by another illness including a temperature above 100.4 degrees, a cough or trouble breathing.
• Wash hands regularly, or use hand sanitizer if not near hand-washing facilities.
• Wear a face covering.
• Practice physical distancing by remaining six feet away from other individuals.
According to our campus policies, we will continue to post notices of positive cases online as soon as they are confirmed, and will provide additional updates as needed. All students, faculty and staff are required to report a positive COVID-19 test within four hours of receiving the test result.
Students who are showing COVID-19 symptoms should contact their health-care provider immediately. Additionally they should report COVID-19 symptoms, close contact with someone who tested positive, or positive test results to the UMKC HelpLine at 816-235-2222. Do not come to campus, or go to class, if you have any of these conditions.
Faculty and staff should also report any COVID-19 symptoms to their medical provider and not return to campus until given further instruction by their provider. Additionally, employees should report COVID-19 symptoms, close contact with someone who tested positive, or positive test results to their supervisor or to HR at 816-235-1229.
After normal business hours, reports of positive tests by students or employees should be made to 816-235-COVI.
