AUT student tests positive for COVID-19

16 Aug, 2020
 
 COVID-19 case on city campus

Earlier today (Sunday 16 August), one of our AUT students tested positive for COVID-19. It is our understanding that the student’s movements and physical interactions were limited to the MBA programme and specific areas of the City Campus.

ARPHS has determined that the student’s infectious period began on Thursday, 13 August. It is unlikely that the student was infectious while on campus. Also, the campus was thoroughly cleaned, as the University closed at Alert Level 3, on Wednesday 12 August.

Staff and students who may have been in close contact are being notified, and forensic cleaning is being organised. AUT is working closely with the Ministry of Health and appropriate authorities in response to this issue. Auckland Regional Public Health Services will undertake contact tracing.

The student was not unwell when they were on campus and only began experiencing symptoms yesterday. Today, a COVID-19 test came back positive and the student is being moved to quarantine.

It has been confirmed that the student is linked to the Auckland cluster. The student notified AUT directly and we appreciate their full cooperation.

AUT campuses have been closed since Auckland moved to Alert Level 3 at midday on Wednesday 12 August. All teaching will be delivered online from Monday, 17 August.

Student services are available online. Study spaces and computers are available on campus, but must be booked in advance.

We will stay in direct contact with the student and their whanau, to ensure that they are all supported. Our thoughts are with them and we will check on their progress.

We will continue to monitor this rapidly changing situation and will keep staff and students informed.

Anyone needing to get tested can find the available testing sites from Auckland Regional Health Services