Sacramento State students, faculty and staff test positive for COVID-19, university says

Twenty-one students, faculty and staff who have been to the Sacramento State campus in the past three weeks have tested positive for COVID-19, university officials said.

In a letter to community members Thursday, President Robert S. Nelsen said the reason he shared the information was “not to raise alarm, but to ensure that everyone understands the seriousness of this virus.”

“It is critical that all members of the Hornet Family follow safety precautions and only come to campus when absolutely necessary,” Nelsen said.

The college is considering options to limit public access to the campus during the crisis and asked that people stay away unless on official university business.

“Health and safety must remain a top priority, not only for our students, faculty, and staff, but for our extended Hornet Families: our parents, children, spouses, partners, and other loved ones with whom we share our living spaces and our lives,” Nelsen said.

Nelsen stressed that employees report any COVID-19 symptoms, exposures or positive test results to the college. Students with symptoms, exposure or a positive test result should contact Student Health and Counseling Services.

“It is impossible for us to mitigate spread, conduct contact tracing, and protect the Hornet Family without this information,” Nelsen said.

Sacramento State, along with the remaining 22 California State University campuses, announced in May they would move almost entirely online for the fall semester.