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Ohio University Quarantines Entire Dorm Due to COVID-19 Outbreak

By: Allison Hunter
Posted on: Friday, October 9, 2020

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ATHENS, Ohio  (WOUB) —  Ohio University has placed an entire dorm under quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to the university’s announcement, the quarantine was directed by the Athens City-County Health Department after 20% of the students living in Boyd Hall tested positive.

Because of Ohio University’s limited reopening, fewer than 100 students live in the West Green dorm.

Duane Nellis, president of Ohio University, said the university had planned for a potential outbreak adding, “we are acting swiftly to get our students who are impacted by the health order into appropriate spaces.”

The students will be isolated, with meals provided, from October 9 until Tuesday, October 21.

In an email to staff and students, Dr. Gillian Ice, special assistant to the president for public health operations, called the Boyd Hall update a “volatile situation” and implored the university community to follow safety protocols.

The announcement comes the same day Athens County had its highest single-day total of confirmed COVID-19 cases.