Cleveland State women's basketball coach Chris Kielsmeier tests positive for coronavirus

Cleveland State women's basketball coach Chris Kielsmeier has tested positive for the coronavirus, the school announced Saturday night.

According to the university, this is the first confirmed case involving a member of the campus community.

"It has been a very challenging couple of days," Kielsmeier said in a statement. "I am beginning to feel better and look forward to getting back to 100%."

In response to Kielsmeier's positive test, the school announced it would be suspending "all non-essential on-campus operations" and reiterated its plans to conduct remote learning through April 10.

"We appreciate Chris doing the right thing by staying home and alerting us as soon as he started feeling ill," Cleveland State president Harlan Sands said in a statement. "His actions were helpful in limiting exposure to the CSU community."

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The Ohio Department of Health has confirmed 26 cases of coronavirus in the state, including 11 in Cuyahoga County.

"While we hope Chris is the only WBCA family member who contracts the virus, we likely will hear of others in the coming days and weeks," Tricia Cullop, president of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, said in a statement. "To Chris and those who may follow, please know we have you in our thoughts and prayers."

Cleveland State went 21-11 under Kielsmeier in 2019-20, an 11-win improvement from his first season as coach of the Vikings.