ATHENS — A University of Georgia sports staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, per an internal school release issued on Wednesday.

Per the release:

• A staff member who works in Athletics was confirmed this morning to have tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was last on campus on March 6, 2020. He is being treated in a local hospital.

• Another member of the Athletics Department who had contact with the individual is under self-quarantine at home with no symptoms at this time.

The release did not identify any further information about either of the staff members.

AJC.com reported on Wednesday there are 197 confirmed coronavirus cases in Georgia — an increase of 51 from Tuesday’s report of 146, per the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Five of the cases in Georgia are in Clarke County, home of the University of Georgia.

REPORT: AJC.com documents Georgia coronavirus numbers, breakdown by county

The numbers are likely much higher based on the AJC.com report, which revealed how the 197 confirmed cases were discovered.

Per the AJC.com report, 93 positive results were discovered among 443 tests conducted by the state lab. Another 104 positive results were obtained through testing at commercial labs, which have conducted more than 1,000 tests.

The University of Georgia has shut down classes and sports activity on campus for the remainder of the spring semester.

Further, UGA has taken steps to mitigate the spread of the virus with a self-quarantine police for those who have traveled internationally.

Per the “continuity” instructions:

“Any students, faculty or staff who have returned from international travel in the past 14 days must self-quarantine until they have been without symptoms for a period of 14 days from the date of entering/reentering the United States before returning to the University of Georgia.”

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart is among those believed to be self-quarantined after a family vacation outside of the U.S., per social media postings.

At the time of this writing (March 18), there are 7,038 cases and 97 deaths related to the coronavirus in the United States, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

AJC.com reported the coronavirus-related death toll in Georgia climbed to three on Wednesday. Two patients who were being treated for the COVID-19 disease at a southwest Georgia hospital have died.

DawgNation coronavirus stories

3 takeaways on the immediate future of Georgia football with Greg McGarity

Georgia spring football, SEC seasons officially shutdown

NCAA to announce new recruiting restrictions, spring eligibility

3 most urgent NCAA sports issues facing SEC and UGA 

Greg Sankey Q&A on coronavirus effect on SEC decisions

SEC basketball tournament canceled amid coronavirus outbreak

WATCH: Greg McGarity addresses coronavirus effect on UGA 

SEC shuts down fan attendance: ‘The new normal”

SEC releases official statement on coronavirus

Georgia beats Ole Miss amid coronavirus fears at tourney

Tom Crean reveals ‘eye-opening’ information on coronavirus