12 UK Wesley students in quarantine after COVID-19 case

A female resident of the University of Kentucky Wesley Foundation has tested positive for COVID-19, and a dozen students in the dormitory are in quarantine for 14 days, according to staff and Rev. Dr. Iosmar Alvarez, Lexington District Superintendent. 

The resident is dealing with the symptoms and it is not expected that she will need to be hospitalized. Prayers for her are encouraged, Alvarez said in an email Thursday.  

The Wesley Foundation had a quarantine plan ready that the staff is now implementing, under the leadership of Casey Neely, UKWF Director.  The young woman is living in the “office” area of the Wesley building.  It used to be the head resident apartment, and it is isolated from everyone else and has a bathroom and shower.  She is not to leave the room for the next 14 days.  

Also, the remaining 12 residents at the Wesley are quarantined to the building for the next 14 days and are not allowed to leave.  Fortunately, many of our residents moved out when we closed the dorm and encouraged students to move home by March 27.  We did give students an opportunity to get an exemption if they had a need to remain living at the Wesley.  We also implemented a no outside visitor policy on April 13.  

None of the remaining residents are allowed to leave the building for 14 days.  The staff has committed to help get the residents whatever they need throughout this season like groceries, personal items, candy, and such. They have an online form they can fill out with requests.  We will get the items, leave them on the doorstep and they can get them.  Staff is allowed to leave things that go into the building but not allowed to take anything out.  

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department and UKWF leaders will be checking in with the residents regularly to see if any more are developing symptoms.  Also, the staff is meeting daily via Zoom with resident assistants in the building to support them and stay posted on any needs.  

The 75-year-old organization is the only Christian dormitory on the UK campus, according to its website. The building normally can house 48 students. It has a large kitchen, plus family and game rooms. 

UK and other universities in Kentucky and across the nation have moved classes to distance learning since social distancing protocols were implemented in March.