News of an Appalachian State student’s passing from COVID-19 led to University of North Carolina leadership issuing a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

A statement from the university said sophomore Chad Dorrill recently died from complications to the virus. Appalachian State Chancellor Sheri Everts said in a letter to her community Dorrill had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in September after returning home from his off-campus apartment to be with his family. Once he was cleared by doctors and traveled back to Boone, Dorrill experienced further complications and became hospitalized. The university said the sophomore was taking entirely online classes despite App State holding some in-person.

“The hearts of the entire Appalachian Community are with Chad’s family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult and painful time,” wrote Everts. “His family’s wishes are for the university to share a common call to action so our entire campus community recognizes the importance of following COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines.”

Dorrill’s death is one of the first known cases within the UNC System of a COVID-positive campus community member dying since the academic year began. System President Peter Hans shared condolences on Tuesday.

“Any loss of life is a tragedy, but the grief cuts especially deep as we mourn a young man who had so much life ahead,” said Hans in a release. “I ache for the profound sadness that Chad Dorrill’s family is enduring right now. My heart goes out to the entire Appalachian State community.”

The system president said he supported the Dorrill family’s request for other students and campus community members be cautious during this period of uncertain public health.

“We have a heightened duty to one another in these extraordinarily trying times” Hans wrote, “and we all need to remain vigilant. I join his family and Chancellor Everts in urging everyone to follow public health guidance by wearing a mask, washing hands, maintaining physical distance, and limiting gatherings.”

The UNC System said in April its goal was to return all campuses to in-person instruction after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic led to classes moving entirely online. While some universities, like App State, have kept up in-person classes this fall, others have moved back to remote learning due to outbreaks. UNC transitioned to this learning model in August following more than 130 positive cases reported in the first week of classes.

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