KFOR learns of confirmed COVID-19 case in OU residence hall as university announces virus testing results

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) – KFOR has learned that a student in a University of Oklahoma residence hall has tested positive for COVID-19.

The following is a portion of the document that KFOR obtained concerning the positive COVID-19 case within the residence hall:

“Last night we were notified of our first confirmed positive COVID-19 case within the residential halls. The individual is in self-isolation, and our system of contact tracing is in motion. All those who have had direct contact with the individual will be notified by the Cleveland County Health Department and/or Goddard Health Services. The university is closely monitoring COVID-19 data and is developing an online dashboard, which is set to launch next week.”

Kesha Keith, the OU Director of Media Relations, released the following statement regarding the student in the residence hall testing positive for the virus:

University protocols for testing, contact tracing, and isolation are operating as planned. The individual is in self-isolation, and our contact tracing system is in motion. All those who have had direct contact with the individual will be notified by the Cleveland County Health Department and/or Goddard Health Services. OU has worked to mitigate risks and found great success in the pre-arrival testing of OU Housing residents, with more than 98% of results coming back negative. The university will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 data and is developing an online dashboard, which is set to launch next week. The dashboard will report COVID-19 related data and will serve as the university’s primary tracking system.

Kesha Keith, OU Director of Media Relations

The news about the student testing positive came as university officials announced that 98.63 percent of students who moved into on-campus housing and received COVID-19 test results are virus-free.

“Of the 4,516 students who received their results as of Aug. 21, 62 tested positive for COVID-19, for a 1.37% positive rate,” an OU news release states.

The university announced in July a mandatory three-step process for all students moving into residence halls on the Norman campus.

“To gain move-in clearance, students were required to take an at-home saliva-based COVID-19 test, receive a negative test result and complete OU’s online health screening form,” the news release states.

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