Schools
UConn Places Storrs Campus On Quarantine, 'Exit' Testing Ordered
The University of Connecticut's Storrs campus has been placed in a modified quarantine after a rise in coronavirus cases.
STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut's Storrs campus has been placed in a modified quarantine and all residential students will be "exit-tested" for the coronavirus before leaving for Thanksgiving.
The announcement was made Friday morning.
Five more residence halls have been added to the current five at Storrs that are under full quarantine, officials said.
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"In-person" student activities and use of the Campus Recreation Center are being be suspended. All dining halls will be considered "quarantined" and are being converted to takeout-only, officials said.
UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said the actions are being taken to help curb a recent uptick in positive coronavirus cases heading toward the Thanksgiving break, which starts after Nov. 20. UConn students have a one-week vacation break from Nov. 23 to 27, and are already slated to complete the fall semester virtually.
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As of Friday morning, the UConn virus dashboard showed 50 current positive tests for residential students on the main campus. UConn reports the statistics daily.
“We don’t have the COVID spread under control,” UConn Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Eleanor Daugherty said in a letter to the campus sent out Friday morning. “I need us to do more to ensure that we are able to return home to our families healthy.”
Five more residence halls were added to the full quarantine list Friday:
- Busby Suites
- Russell Hall
- Alsop A
- Fairfield Hall
- Litchfield Hall
The joined the five put in quarantine Tuesday:
- Belden Hall
- Batterson Hall
- Tolland Hall
- Middlesex Hall
- Werth Hall
Students living in the residence halls are requited to follow strict procedures that include coronavirus testing, getting take-out meals from designated dining halls and attending classes virtually.
A modified quarantine means that normal quarantine procedures apply, with the exception that some students are permitted to attend class in person, participate in clinical
placement and participate in "essential research functions conducted at UConn."
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