A staff member of the University of Houston baseball team is being tested for COVID-19 after developing symptoms consistent with the virus following a team trip to Las Vegas just prior to UH suspending the season. As a precaution, the University is requiring all members of the team, coaches and support staff to self-quarantine while UH awaits test results, which could take 48-72 hours. The staff member being tested has no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19 and has not traveled internationally.
Any related, potential exposure is thought to be limited to the UH baseball team and support staff, as the University was on Spring Break when the team returned. At this time, no other baseball student-athletes, coaches or staff appear to have developed symptoms.
In order to limit the opportunity for transmission and prioritize the safety of our student-athletes, UH Athletics has taken the following additional actions:
- On March 12, UH immediately suspended all Spring sports competition
- A no-practice, no-workouts moratorium is extended through Sunday, March 22 to limit student-athletes from group settings and/or occupying common areas such as weight rooms and the academic center.
- Staff has deactivated student-athlete electronic access to UH athletic facilities in an effort to mitigate unauthorized/unsupervised access.
Prior to this potential exposure, the University cancelled classes the week of March 16-22, with all classes resuming online March 23. The University, in conjunction with local, state and federal health authorities, has developed extensive protocols with regard to COVID-19 to mitigate spread. They include:
- Classes will be offered remotely (online or alternative format) beginning March 23rd through April 4th. During this time we will assess the continuation of remote class instruction.
- Students are encouraged to stay at home, but university housing will remain open.
- Employees may work from home to the extent they are able to perform job functions remotely and with supervisor approval.
- Facilities are being maintained using aggressive sanitization and hygiene protocols as recommended by authorities: increased custodial cleaning, hand sanitizer dispensers at all entrances, common areas and elevators.
- The university has implemented international travel restrictions, travel reporting and self-quarantine protocols.
- We have established the email address coronavirus@uh.edu to answer questions from the UH community.
- Those seeking to hold UH-funded or sponsored events of 50 or more people during March or April need special permission from a vice president.
For more information on the University of Houston’s COVID-19 response, please visit: https://uh.edu/covid-19/