Based on guidance from federal and state public health officials, four international students participating in a Boise State program are in self-isolation for 14 days. All four cleared a health screening upon their arrival in Seattle on Monday, and none of the students have shown any signs or symptoms of illness.
“Public health experts have assured us that the chances of any instance or spread of the illness are very low,” Boise State spokesman Greg Hahn said. “Out of an abundance of caution we want to do all we can to support and ensure the health and safety of everyone in our campus community.”
At this time, there remain no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Idaho and state officials say the individual risk in Idaho is low.
Based on recommendations from federal and state public health experts, Boise State has instituted procedures for self-isolating students visiting or returning from countries with level-3 travel warnings. The university will continue to update policies and processes as this situation evolves.
The health and safety of Boise State’s students, faculty and staff are a top priority for university leadership. The university is monitoring up-to-date information and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of State, the Governor’s Office, Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare and the Central District Health agency, which is the primary public health agency for the Treasure Valley.
“Every day, health experts are learning more about the virus, how it spreads and where it has reached,” Hahn said. “The university is committed to acting on the recommendations and guidelines as they emerge — and we expect that the guidance and information will continue to change rapidly.”
The university’s emergency management team and campus leaders are implementing plans to keep the campus safe and healthy, including travel restrictions, enhanced cleaning protocols and sanitation efforts — as well as procedures to minimize disruptions of university operations should circumstances change in Idaho.
For up-to-date campus information on the impacts of coronavirus, please visit the COVID response page.