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University student among the 10 Princeton residents to test positive for COVID-19

Breaking News, Covid-19.jpg
Design Credit: Harsimran Makkad / The Daily Princetonian

In a press release sent earlier today, the Municipality of Princeton announced that there have been 10 total cases of COVID-19 among Princeton residents. At least three of these individuals are over 65 years old, and one individual is a University student.

The University announced on Sunday that University Health Services (UHS) was aware of five students who had tested positive for COVID-19 — one student was tested in McCosh Health Center and four were tested off-campus. When asked about the Municipality’s press release, a University spokesperson updated The Daily Princetonian that the “sole student” who had tested positive on campus has “met the critical criteria for discontinuation of isolation” and has since left campus.

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This spokesperson clarified that this has been “the only case” of a student testing positive on campus. The University has urged students who are tested for COVID-19 to contact UHS, no matter where or when they are tested, so the University can assist public health officials with contact tracing.

The number of positive test results in New Jersey has risen to 3,675 — with at least 44 deaths reported. There are more confirmed cases in New Jersey than all other states in the U.S., excluding New York. Mercer County accounts for 58 of the positive cases, according to a 2:51 p.m. update from Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

The Princeton Health Department had been notified of Princeton’s sixth and seventh positive test results on Friday and had learned of two additional cases by Sunday evening, according to the Municipality’s COVID-19 website. The University student’s positive test result brought the town’s total up to 10. 

The Municipality’s release also provided some demographic information, including the genders of all 10 individuals and the ages of eight.

Nine of the 10 Princeton residents to test positive are male. The sole female to test positive was the town’s first case of COVID-19. These 10 cases do not include the non-Princeton-resident elementary school employee of Princeton Public School District, who has been hospitalized since March 19.  

None of the 10 residents are hospitalized, the release notes. 

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Of the eight residents with ages listed, five are in the 18-65 age range, and three are over 65.

Additionally, two of the residents who tested positive are healthcare workers.

The release clarifies that there have been 16 total negative test results for Princeton residents, including four additional negative test results since Sunday evening.

Additionally, as of Monday, UHS overnight Infirmary Service will temporarily cease operations through 7 a.m. on March 31 as a “precautionary health measure.” UHS will remain open Monday through Friday during regular business hours, and “on-call coverage and consultation” will be available after hours and on weekends.

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“The temporary suspension of this service is being made as a precautionary public health measure related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on UHS staffing,” the announcement notes. “With the Infirmary closed, students with urgent health matters after hours or on weekends may require evaluations in an off-campus hospital setting.”

According to the UHS website, if a student is determined to be in need of emergency medical attention outside of normal business hours, they will be transferred to the emergency department at the Penn Medicine/Princeton Medical Center for evaluation.

This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.