South Sound technical college shuts down after student goes into coronavirus quarantine

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Clover Park Technical College shut down campuses in South Hill and Lakewood after a student was put in quarantine with suspected coronavirus symptoms.

The student only attended classes at the South Hill location and is under quarantine at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup awaiting results of those tests, according to a statement released by the college. As a precaution, classes at both campuses were canceled.

Amy Finnerud says she didn’t realize that when she showed up to buy books for her classes in Lakewood. “If there’s a chance that it’s at other the other campus, then it’s nice that they’re treating this campus as well,” she said.

In Tacoma, players took to the courts as family and fans poured into the Tacoma Dome for the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association’s annual basketball tournament.

Dome officials say they did a thorough cleaning after the WIAA announced the games were on despite a coronavirus outbreak in western Washington. “I’m pretty confident in what Tacoma Dome has done to prep,” said Talonya Gabriel. George Foster said that for him, skipping the games was not an option. “Well, yeah, I have to be here. I’m the athletic director at Rainier Beach High School,” Foster said.

Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards announced she is streaming Wednesday’s annual State of the City Address on TV Tacoma and social media, canceling a public speech scheduled to take place at Mt. Tahoma High School, saying the health and safety of the community should be the top priority.

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