Healthy on the Hill - Messages

Recent media reports about contact tracing performed by state and regional public health officials has prompted questions and comments on campus.

In response to the recent escalation of COVID-19 cases across our region, state and country, the Barren River District Health Department announced on Tuesday that it is curtailing making direct connection with those who may have been close contacts with a COVID-19-positive individual. 

BRDHD is still doing complete contact tracing on all positive COVID-19 cases.  Due to the volume, they are not personally calling each close contact but instead providing quarantine information to the positive case to share with their contacts.

Be assured that WKU is still working with them on a daily basis to assist with the tracing efforts to assure that we get the positives and close contacts in quarantine as soon as possible.  We are also monitoring the status of public health resources and will take appropriate actions to assure that WKU has the appropriate resources in place to track and manage COVID-19 cases and contacts as we approach the Spring 2021 semester start. 

We would like to commend our partners at the health department for their support this fall which allowed us to execute our restart and successfully negotiate the semester.

All WKU students, faculty, staff and contractors who test positive, or are identified as a close contact, are still to call the COVID-19 Assistance Line at 270-745-2019 to report their situation and receive instructions on the appropriate course of action. If you have any questions or concerns you may contact me directly or call the COVID-19 Assistance Line (270) 745-2019.

Please have a great Thanksgiving break, but always keep the virus in mind, wear your mask, observe distancing, wash your hands frequently, and follow the guidance for gatherings.

Dr. David E. Oliver Ed.D, CSP, CEM

Director Environmental Health & Safety

Emergency Manager