The residence of St. John Vianney College Seminary on the University of St. Thomas campus in St. Paul is under quarantine after 12 students at the undergraduate seminary tested positive for COVID-19.

Test results arrived late Dec. 4 and into the weekend. All 12 students were moved out of the residence, which houses 105 seminarians, and into a quarantine dorm on campus or back home. Students who tested negative for the novel coronavirus were allowed to return home if they wished, or remain in the building, said Father Michael Becker, rector at SJV.

None of the seminarians in quarantine or in isolation will attend in-person classes until their isolation or two-week quarantine period ends, said Madonna McDermott, executive director of UST’S Center for Well-Being, in a letter to the St. Thomas community.

The seminarians who tested positive for the novel coronavirus were in fairly good spirits and were healing, Father Becker said. Thanksgiving travel and spending time with family and friends during the holiday break may have introduced the virus to the seminary residence, he said.

McDermott said the quarantine was a precautionary measure taken after consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health. St. Thomas officials also conducted targeted testing of about 100 students and contact tracing is underway, she said.

Following regular protocols, faculty will receive contact tracing notification for any students who tested positive, McDermott said.