Tensions are rising in the Penn State University and the promontories near the campus as university officials have officially acknowledged the first case of their student cying from COVID-19 induced complications.
21-year-old Juan Garcia has been pronounced dead earlier this month, and was officially announced today due to causes of respiratory failure in the aforementioned causalities, losing from the fight he has fought since last month.
“We are profoundly saddened to learn about Juan’s untimely death during this pandemic,” Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims said, “This young man had a remarkable spirit and was greatly loved. I know our entire campus community sends our deepest condolences to his family and friends as they grieve this unthinkable loss. It is a poignant reminder that no one among us is immune to the worst consequences of this virus.”
This is an alarm bell and a factor for reconsideration as schools across the nation, especially universities, have been planning to reopen their gates in the fall semester despite the exponentially increasing numbers of patients and infected cases kept on rising.
As of now, the very school in question, Penn State, has announced their plans for students to come back. Garcia was in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, and the first coronavirus-related casualty from the university, according to their official statement.
Also following their explanations, the authorities made clear that he lived off campus and returned immediately back to his home in Allentown, PA, after he began to feel the symptoms. The COVID-19 positive was affirmed on June 20, his death happening 10 days later.
Penn State is now contact tracing anyone who may have been around Garcia while he was sick.
“As we mourn the loss of Juan and offer support to his family and friends, I hope we all also will honor his memory by taking every precaution to help slow the spread of the virus and keep ourselves and others safe and healthy,” Dr. Robin Oliver-Veronesi, the senior director of University Health Services.
“While each of our risk levels are different, this virus has shown that it can have devastating effects on even those who are younger.’
All students, faculties and employees will return to campus in so-called phases, the university said, and policies “including mask-wearing and social distancing” will be strictly maintained on campus.
Testing and contact-tracing program will be reinstated. “The University also is building capacity to isolate and quarantine impacted individuals, including support for isolated persons, to facilitate proper medical care,” the official announcement reads.
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