Dear university community,
Today, we learned that a member of the School of Dentistry recently recovered from a confirmed case of COVID 19. The individual was in one classroom in the Dentistry building on June 11. After that date, the individual traveled to a nearby state and had known contact with an individual there who displayed symptoms and later tested positive for the virus.
Out of an abundance of caution, because it is not possible to know exactly when and where the individual contracted COVID, people who were in the classroom with this individual on June 11 are being notified. All students in this classroom, following School of Dentistry COVID policies, were wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing. The typical incubation period for COVID is 2-14 days and this potential exposure was 14 days ago. UMKC is not aware of any other symptomatic individuals in this classroom, but any concerns or symptoms can be reported to the Student Health and Wellness Center at 816-235-6133 or studenthealth@umkc.edu.
The individual, who isolated during the illness, has now been cleared to return to normal activity since 10 days have passed since symptom onset and three days since resolution of all symptoms, according to the protocols of the School of Dentistry and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
UMKC facilities staff have cleaned and sanitized all classrooms in the School of Dentistry multiple times since June 11, following CDC guidelines on enhanced cleaning practices. In addition to disinfecting public spaces, the cleaning staff also have been providing extra cleaning of high-touch surfaces. With this report of a positive case, the cleaning crew will again disinfect this classroom space as an added precaution.
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. 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.
We will continue to notify campus of positive cases as soon as they are confirmed, and provide additional updates as needed.
Sincerely,
C. Mauli Agrawal, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Jennifer Lundgren, Ph.D.
Provost
