The University of Alabama Reports Over 500 Cases of COVID-19
As The University of Alabama allowed students back on campus last week, the campus has had over 500 cases of COVID-19.
Students attending the University of Alabama were met with over 500 cases of COVID-19 in just one week of school. The campus of nearly 30,000 students went back to in-person classes on August 19. At the Tuscaloosa campus, faculty reported over 566 cases of COVID-19, this is including both students and university staff, 531 cases on the Tuscaloosa campus, and the other 35 positive cases at different University of Alabama locations.
The University of Alabama states that they have conducted 46,150 COVID tests across their campuses. While adding in the 566 positive cases of COVID-19, the University of Alabama’s positive rate is currently at 1.2%.
In the last FIVE DAYS there have been 531 new cases of COVID-19 at the University of Alabama‘s Tuscaloosa campus. pic.twitter.com/Su0GpTmikJ
— Malique (@MaliqueRankin) August 25, 2020
On Monday, August 24, Stuart R. Bell, the university’s president, made his statement, encouraging students and staff to abide by CDC regulation, social distancing, wearing masks, and limiting gathering. However, Bell still hopes to continue in-person classes for the Fall semester.
While the isolation areas are not currently full on the campus, there is fear that cases may start to increase.
Due to this news, Mayor Walt Maddox has announced that the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama will issue a two week closing for bars in the area. Tuscaloosa is hoping that this will help control cases and keep students safe. Campus police will also be monitoring fraternity and sorority housing. Student gatherings have also been prohibited both on and off-campus as well as a moratorium on Greek life events for the next 14 days. However, the university has shown no plan of closing down in-person classes anytime soon.
