AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- A University of Texas staff member has died from the coronavirus, officials announced Tuesday.
UT Interim President Jay Hartzell announced the death in a letter to the campus community Tuesday.
"Last night, I received extremely sad news confirming the COVID-19-related death of one of our custodial services team members," Hartzell wrote. "This loss is absolutely devastating to me, as I know it is to so many members of our campus community. Out of respect to the family and the privacy of our staff member, we are unable to provide many other details. This is our university's first death related to COVID-19, and it comes at a time when cases are growing in Texas and Travis County."
Officials said the employee tested positive last month, and contact tracing, notifications, and disinfection protocols have already been followed. All affected individuals had followed guidance to self-isolate following public health protocols.
Hartzell continued to encourage the following behaviors by everyone in the community, regardless of where they are:
- Please wear cloth masks when you are around other people.
- Keep a minimum distance of 6 feet between yourself and others whenever possible.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
"This is a heartbreaking moment for Longhorn Nation," Hartzell wrote. "We have weathered the pandemic for months, but now, it has become personal in a whole new way. As we manage our grief, it is my hope that we can pull together, unite, and redouble our commitment to health, safety and combatting this disease on campus and within our communities."
More information on the university response to COVID-19 is available online.
