Member of Public Safety Tests Positive for Coronavirus

April 19, 2020

A  Public Safety officer on the Metropolitan Campus tested positive for COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, on April 17 the school said in an email sent out to the FDU community early Sunday morning.

This is believed to be the first on-campus case of coronavirus. Dr. Ibrahim Abdul-Malik was the first member of the FDU to pass away from the coronavirus approximately two weeks ago.

A celebration of Abdul-Malik’s life can be read here:    https://fduequinox.wordpress.com/2020/04/07/ibrahim-abdul-malik-pioneering-interfaith-religious-studies-teacher-dies-at-96/

The officer, whose name was not disclosed in the email, began showing symptoms on April 11, and his last day at work was on April 8. The university said it informed those who came into contact with the officer within the 14 day incubation period of the coronavirus. All of these individuals are not experiencing any symptoms at this time.

According to the CDC, the incubation period of COVID-19 is 14 days. This means that it can take up to 14 days for an infected person to begin showing the symptoms accompanying this virus. In these two weeks, the virus is easily transmittable  to those that come in contact with the infected individual.

According to the email from FDU on Sunday: “This experience underscores the importance of staying off-campus, except for the relatively few students who remain in the residence halls and those employees who are working on campus with the approval of their supervisors. While most operations are remote and while most students are off-campus, we do still have some resident students as well as some essential personnel on campus. If you are a resident student who has possibly come in contact with an infected individual and/or you exhibit a fever, shortness of breath or a cough, please contact the appropriate health service as listed below. All other students should seek medical assistance through their primary care physician.”

Faculty and staff members should remain off campus for 14 days if they are feeling ill or may have been exposed to the coronavirus. 

Any FDU students that are still on campus can call these numbers if they are feeling ill. Metropolitan Campus Department of Student Health Services:  201-692-2437. After hours, call Metropolitan Campus Public Safety: 201-692-2222.