MILLIGAN COLLEGE – Milligan College administration learned that an employee in the Milligan community has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). This is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 directly related to the Milligan community. This individual is a staff member who was last on campus on Friday, March 20.

This individual is self-isolating at home in accordance with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Tennessee Department of Health. For reasons of health privacy, the college cannot provide additional details regarding this case.

Contact investigation and notification is overseen by the Tennessee Department of Health. Persons who have had close contact with the individual in question are being notified by the Tennessee Department of Health in accordance with standard public health principles. The impacted offices are closed for appropriate cleaning according to Tennessee Department of Health guidelines.

“We are doing everything we can to support this individual and others through what is undoubtedly a difficult time,” said Milligan President Dr. Bill Greer. “In a place like Milligan, where a strong community is essential to who we are, the limitations placed on us by the coronavirus are especially difficult, but we have seen these challenges addressed with grace, compassion and unity of spirit.”

Academic courses continue online, but the campus remains closed to students, faculty, staff and the public.

Milligan has not had on-campus courses since March 6 when the college’s spring break began. On March 12, the college extended spring break one week and moved classes online for two weeks. As many staff as possible began working remotely March 19. Following increased global concerns about the pandemic, the difficult decision was made March 20 to extend remote learning through the end of the spring semester.

Information about Milligan’s response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic can be found at www.milligan.edu/health.