A University staff member died after contracting COVID-19, University President Jay Hartzell said in an email to the community Thursday.

The University is not yet naming the staff member out of respect for the family’s privacy. The staff member worked at the University for a decade in Utilities and Energy Management and is believed to have contracted COVID-19 off campus, according to the email.

“Our hearts and minds are with the family, friends and co-workers of our colleague, who are now grieving this terrible loss,” Hartzell said.

The staff member had not been on campus since mid-September, and the University’s contact tracing team has not found community spread of COVID-19 related to this case, Hartzell said.

“It is vital that we remain as vigilant as ever in our commitment to mask wearing, social distancing, proactive community testing and all other measures related to combatting this disease,” Hartzell said. “There can be no letup — until there is a vaccine, we have to protect our own health and that of others, particularly those most vulnerable.”  

This is the second COVID-19 related death of a University staff member. In July, a custodial staff member died due to COVID-19 related complications.