A University of Texas Rio Grande Valley student who resides in the Casa Bella Apartments campus dorms in Brownsville has tested positive for COVID-19, the university announced Friday.
“We have been informed that a student resident in our Casa Bella Apartments has tested positive for COVID-19,” the statement from UTRGV reads.
In an email sent to the campus community, UTRGV President Guy Bailey said that after traveling out of state, the student briefly returned to Casa Bella to pick up personal items. The student then returned to Casa Bella a couple days later and currently is in isolation and receiving care while following protocols from Student Health Services in coordination with the Cameron County Health Department.
“To help mitigate risks for other apartment residents, the Department of Housing and Residence Life has increased the frequency of sanitation in common spaces and has encouraged all residents to follow personal measures as outlined by UT Health RGV,”Bailey said.
In the same email, Bailey stated that the university learned Friday that a faculty member who resides in Hidalgo County has also tested positive for the coronavirus. He said the faculty member had recently returned from international travel.
“While news of our first positive cases is alarming, we should also try to remain calm and stay prepared,” Bailey said. “The Rio Grande Valley is expecting an increase in the number of cases as the region begins to ramp up testing capabilities.”
