A Missouri S&T student has tested positive for COVID-19. The student is in isolation and recovering at his off-campus fraternity residence.

Missouri S&T student health staff are working with public health officials to identify others who have been in contact with the student recently and have initially quarantined nine other fraternity members as a safety precaution. Additional contact tracing is in process.

This is the first reported case of a positive test result for a Missouri S&T student. The student is a member of Delta Tau Delta, 2631 Vienna Road.

“It has always been a question of when, not if, COVID-19 would affect our campus,” says Missouri S&T Chancellor Mo Dehghani. “Missouri S&T and the Rolla community have been fortunate through the spring and summer months, as the rate of transmission in our area has been low. We are continuing to urge everyone to take the necessary precautions to keep transmission to a minimum and to ensure a safe and successful opening of the fall semester.”

Missouri S&T and public health officials continue to emphasize the importance of following safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include:

• Limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people outside of classroom settings
• Maintaining physical (social) distancing of six feet or greater
• Wearing a facial covering in classrooms, offices, teaching and research labs, common areas such as hallways, restrooms and food courts, and when sustained physical (social) distancing of six feet or greater is not possible
• Washing hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds
• Establishing “social bubbles” of three to five people to limit interactions that may increase the risk of transmission
• Constant monitoring your health for fever or other symptoms, and reporting those symptoms to covid@mst.edu.

Any students who suspect they might have COVID-19 should contact Missouri S&T student health services at 573-341-4284 or covid@mst.edu. For more information about Missouri S&T’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.mst.edu.