(Update 4/23)
Jackson County Public Health Department has announced that 3 additonal people working on the Apodaca Science Building at Western Carolina University’s campus have tested postitive for COVID-19. This brings the total to four positive cases on the work site.
None of these cases are Jackson County residents and all are following isolation orders. The health department and Harris Regional Hospital working together to offer testing to constructions workers affiliated with the site. The Apodaca Science Building site is closed at this time.
Jackson County Public Health Department has announced that a subcontractor who was working on Western Carolina University’s campus has tested positive for COVID-19.
Construction continued on the campus after classes were moved online in March. Western Carolina University officials say the subcontractor was working on the construction of the Apodaca Science Building and was last onsite on Thursday, April 16.
“Work was immediately halted on the entire job site for disinfection and deep cleaning, and that work is scheduled to resume tomorrow on the project," explains WCU spokesperson Bill Studenc in an email. “We do not anticipate this situation having an impact on the completion of the project.”
Western Carolina says any other workers who were potentially affected have been contacted and are following a 14-day self-quarantine period from the date of last contact. Jackson County Public Health Department urges anyone who was on a construction site at Western Carolina’s campus between April 15and April 22 to monitor their temperature and self-isolate if they experience COVID-19 symptoms.
Western Carolina’s campus is still open but all classes have been moved online. Most students have gone home at the university’s recommendation but some have remained.
The university is working closely with contractor, Skanska USA. WCU says the contractor quickly implemented established protocols to ensure that all guidelines and updates provided by the CDC, OSHA, WHO, and other applicable authorities are being followed to reduce the spread and potential exposure to the virus.
