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PARKERSBURG -- West Virginia University at Parkersburg has eight positive COVID-19 cases as reported by college president Chris Gilmer in an email to students Monday.
In a one-week period, the college saw its largest coronavirus positive cases to date. Gilmer said the eight positive cases are among both students and faculty members.
Those who tested positive are not experiencing severe symptoms, Gilmer said, and they will be in quarantine in their homes.
"A large residential university might consider this a more expected report, but at a community-based college of our profile where we are very close-knit and familial, this news distresses me greatly as I am sure it will distress you," Gilmer said in the email.
All in-person classes have been suspended on the Parkersburg and Jackson County campuses for at least the next two weeks, at which time, the board of governors, executive team and Gilmer will re-assess the situation.
Gilmer also asked the vice presidents of each department to keep their staff members working remotely, if possible, while still providing all services.
Although in-person classes are temporarily suspended, Gilmer said both campuses will remain open.
"We will just be minimizing access. All of the college services at both campuses and downtown (in Parkersburg) will be going on and fully staffed," Gilmer said. "We will be minimizing access for a couple weeks and (will) possibly (be) asking people to make appointments. Nothing has changed. We're still serving the students and the public, we're just doing it more remotely."
During the two-week period, the campuses will receive additional deep cleaning.
"My foremost concern is for our students, like students across the nation, who have been asked to change almost everything about your college experience. To you, I say this: while technology-enabled instruction at the expense of face-to-face instruction is not an optimal longterm situation, we are doing our best in the short term to ensure the quality of the experience and to prepare you to shift back face-to-face as soon as it is safe to do so," Gilmer said. "Better days will come again, and please do not give up on your education or your dreams. These are hard times, but hard times build character. We are fully invested in your success, and I ask each of you to remain fully invested in your success."
Calls for more information to the Mid-Ohio Valley Health were not immediately returned.
Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.