Cal Poly student tests positive for coronavirus

A Cal Poly student has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the San Luis Obispo university’s first confirmed case of COVID-19.

The Cal Poly student was tested out of the area after returning home, according to campus-wide email from University President Jeffrey Armstrong. Although the student was tested out of the area, they are counted as one of the 42 cases within San Luis Obispo County, according to the Public Health Department.

The student lives off-campus and left the San Luis Obispo area on March 17, according to the email.

“Today’s news underscores the importance of us all continuing to closely follow state and county shelter-in-home orders,” the email read.

According to the email San Luis Obispo County Public Health has been notified and is conducting a contact investigation.

The student began showing symptoms while still living in San Luis Obispo. The case appears to have been a case of community transmission, because the student had not returned from traveling, according to County Public Health Officer Penny Borenstein.

While the campus is still open, all spring quarter classes will be held online and facilities like the Rec Center, main Kennedy Library and University Union are closed.

Cal Poly is asking that all on-campus residents return to their homes.

This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 3:28 PM.