Universities that have reopened are already reporting clusters of coronavirus cases



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“We are disappointed that many of our students have chosen to ignore the public health advice of Covid-19 by coming together in a large group with no social distancing or facial coverage,” said Sylvia Carson, executive director of communications at UNG , in an email.

Taken together, the clusters and the party are a perfect illustration of the struggles of bringing young people together during the pandemic, and comes as students begin to return to campuses for in-person classes, distance learning, or both.

The spread of the virus can be limited if people follow public health guidelines such as social distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands. But getting people to follow this advice has proven tricky, especially for college-aged students, who have led the summer spike in coronavirus cases.
UNC has four Covid-19 clusters within a week of starting classes

“You just don’t have to pay attention to human psychology if you think you can round up these kids and not party them,” said Dr Megan Ranney, emergency physician and associate professor of emergency medicine. at Brown University.

“All of us who were young adults know what it’s like to be in our late teens and early twenties. It’s up to these colleges to allow these kids to do this. that we need to do regular tests, to have mask warrants, to have masks readily available, and if necessary, to close these campuses, ”she told CNN.

Young people generally have milder outcomes from Covid-19 infection. But they are not immune to the virus and can still pass it on to other more vulnerable people.

Dr Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted that the virus that spreads anywhere is a threat to people all over the world.

“What we need to do is recognize that we are all together,” he told CNN. “And any group or any part of the country that is infected or has a high rate of disease is potentially a risk to all other age groups and all other parts of the country.”

Clusters at UNC and in the state of Oklahoma

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, only 22.5% of universities surveyed say they will run courses entirely in person or mostly in person. Some of those who have opened campuses or held classes recently are already seeing cases, even with protections in place.

Less than a week after classes began, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced a fourth cluster of Covid-19 cases on campus.

The latest cluster, defined as five or more nearby cases, has been traced to the Hinton James residence, the UNC said on Sunday. Individuals in the cluster have been identified. They are self-isolating and receiving medical follow-up, the university said.
On Saturday, UNC announced a cluster of coronavirus cases to the Sigma Nu fraternity. And on Friday, the university identified a cluster at the Ehringhaus community, a dormitory, and Granville Towers, a private apartment complex that serves as housing for some students.

Two Oklahoma universities have also seen a significant number of cases.

Covid-19 is still spreading rampantly, but there is less testing to find and isolate cases

A sorority at Oklahoma State University is in quarantine after 23 members tested positive for Covid-19, according to the university.

“Last night, OSU officials learned of 23 positive cases of COVID at an off-campus sorority home. The rapid antigen test was performed at an off-campus health facility,” a statement read from university.

The entire sorority home is in isolation or quarantine after the confirmed cases, and residents “will not be allowed to leave the facility,” the university said.

At the University of Oklahoma, nine football players have tested positive for the coronavirus as the Big 12, his conference, continues to prepare for fall football, head coach Lincoln Riley said on Saturday. .

Test results returned after the team returned from a week’s hiatus after pre-season testing.

“We’ve been doing a great job all this time. You know when (you) give players time, there’s a risk. It’s not the NBA, we don’t have a bubble. We all have to keep on playing. working to do a better job by all accounts. We are still confident in the plan we have, “said Riley.

CNN’s Hollie Silverman, Chandler Thornton, Leah Asmelash and Cesar Marin contributed to this report.

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