Shortly after opening its doors to students, the University of South Carolina recorded 1,026 positive tests for coronavirus and last week saw a positive test rate among students and teachers of 26.3 percent, according to its panel. COVID information.
Bob Caslen, president of the university, addressed the growing number of cases in a September 1 letter to the campus community.
“Our total number of active cases is higher than we expected at this point, and some behavior on the part of students outside campus is disappointing and unacceptable,” wrote Caslen. “We are facing these realities and taking action”.
Caslen said the school quarantined several Greek houses and suspended several students and student organizations because of their role in organizing parties.
For comparison, the New York City test’s positivity rate peaked at approximately 70% at the end of March, according to city data. More recently, the city’s positivity rate has hovered around 1%.
Less than a week ago, the police stopped a pool party at a private residence near campus, which was described as having a “Mardi Gras” atmosphere, NBC News reported.
The university’s COVID alert level is currently “low” and administrators say the campus community is “strongly encouraged to increase behaviors related to physical distance, facial coverage, hand washing and reduced unnecessary social interaction,” according to school website.
They also said they would increase testing and sterilization efforts, encouraging students to take routine COVID exams.
According to its website, the University of South Carolina is using saliva tests for students and teachers with results expected within 24 hours.
The university’s COVID panel noted that a significant portion of its undergraduate student population is learning online.
The College of Pharmacy is conducting open tests at campus locations for four hours a day, and even those who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to attend for routine tests. Those who feel unwell are encouraged to schedule a telemedicine visit.
USC did not immediately respond to the request for comment.
