BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG) - Wells College, in Cayuga County, switched to remote learning Tuesday after a person on campus tested positive for COVID-19.
All in-person campus activities, including classes, athletics and clubs, are suspended through Sunday, Nov. 8.
It is the college's first COVID-19 case, according to a statement by Wells College President Jonathan Gibralter.
“While it is unfortunate that we have our first case of COVID-19 on campus, it is not a surprise given the recent surge in cases in our region and throughout the country," Gibralter wrote. "Since this summer we have had contingency plans in place to address our response to this type of situation, and we notified our campus community immediately this morning upon learning of the positive test result.”
The Aurora college is a small private liberal arts college with just 414 students, as of Sept. 2019.
Cayuga Health Services will conduct COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty and staff on campus over the next two days.
Campus officials ask students to self-quarantine in their dorms and remain in their rooms, except to go to testing or to pick up a to-go meal at the dining hall.
Since September, the college has required all students, faculty and staff to participate in COVID-19 testing every two weeks. Results are typically available within 24 to 48 hours, according the college.
According to campus officials, the affected individual is now in isolation and the Cayuga County Department of Health will begin the contact tracing.