Update on COVID-19 at Rutgers

Note: More recent COVID-19-related communication may supersede specific information in this announcement.

March 15, 2020

To the Members of the Rutgers Community:

I am writing today to let you know that a biomedical engineering professor at Rutgers University–New Brunswick has tested positive for COVID-19. The test results were delivered late yesterday, Saturday, March 14, 2020.

The professor was exposed at a non-Rutgers location in late February. He has been self-isolating, is currently doing well and has the full support of the University and our Occupational Health Department.

The professor had close contact with a limited number of individuals at Rutgers following his own exposure and prior to his own period of self-isolation. The individuals with whom he had close contact have been identified and notified. They’ve all been asked to self-isolate in accordance with CDC guidance and that of the New Jersey Department of Health.

The Biomedical Engineering Building on the Busch campus, in Piscataway, N.J., is being cleaned and disinfected in accordance with CDC guidelines, including focusing on frequently touched surfaces.

In a community of nearly 100,000 students, faculty and staff, it is reasonable to expect that this is only the first of several incidents of COVID-19 that will involve members of our community. I expect that each member of our university community will continue to support one another during this health crisis.

As occurrences of COVID-19 become more common throughout New Jersey it is important to recognize that we have individual and collective moral obligations to do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19. It is imperative that we all practice social distancing, good hygiene and use common sense and good judgment. Information on personal care and best practices can be found at the Prevention and Care section of our COVID-19 website.  Last week guidance was distributed with respect to working from home and flexibility on leave policies for those who must self-isolate or for other reasons.

Important information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak is available on the Rutgers COVID-19 website. You should regularly refer to the website for updates and guidance.

I want to thank everyone who has been working to respond to the presence of COVID-19 in our community and throughout New Jersey. These are understandably difficult times and have required all of us to exercise conscientious behavior and compassion toward one another.

Sincerely,

Antonio Calcado
Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer