5 UConn Residence Halls Placed Under Coronavirus Quarantine

STORRS, CT — Five University of Connecticut residence halls are under quarantine after the highest single-day number of positive coronavirus cases since testing began in August, school officials said.

The latest batch of results shows 11 new on-campus positives and 23 new off-campus positives associated with Storrs. Of the 11 positives on campus, one was already in quarantine. Of the 23 positives off campus, five were in quarantine, officials said.

The results are "obviously cause for concern," officials said.

The positive results were generated from 627 tests, officials said. The "vast majority" were surveillance tests and the remainder were from point of care, which takes place when a student comes to the Student Health & Wellness office with symptoms and is tested, officials said.

The positives are also scattered throughout multiple dorms and off-campus residences, meaning they cannot be tied to a single event or cluster, officials added.

In response, the university has placed the Werth, Tolland, Middlesex, Batterson and Belden residence halls on quarantine. A total of 544 students live in the residence halls. The buildings are where the 11 new on-campus positive tests are located, officials said.

A letter from Dean of Students Eleanor JD Daugherty went out Tuesday to all Storrs undergraduate and graduate students.

Here is the transcript:

Dear Huskies,

This morning, I was made aware of 11 on-campus and 23 off-campus positive test results. Unfortunately, our good health and this good weather may have invited some of us to be more relaxed in our behaviors.

This is our highest number of positive cases reported in a single day since testing began at UConn. With the holidays so close, it is essential that we take significant steps to contain the spread of this virus at UConn. We do this not only for ourselves, but for those loved ones we are so eager to see in good health.

All of our most recent on-campus positives have been scattered through five residence halls. Starting tomorrow morning at 7 a.m., the following residential buildings will be under quarantine until further notice: Belden Hall, Batterson Hall, Tolland Hall, Middlesex Hall, Werth Hall.

Students living in those buildings will be required to follow quarantine procedures including testing, takeout dining from our designated quarantine dining halls and online education. If the quarantine period extends beyond Nov. 20, when the residence halls close for winter recess, students will receive guidance on how to quarantine at home if they choose to do so. Students who are unable to return home for quarantine will be accommodated through Student Health and Wellness (SHaW).

Testing continues to be available to all students Monday through Friday at the Field House. Additional information on signing up for a testing appointment can be found here. It is important that all quarantined students be tested. SHaW will be sending all quarantined students information on testing through secured messaging.

The measures announced today may only be a first step. The University continues to vigorously monitor testing and wastewater to determine if additional measures are necessary. UConn is not immune from the risk of COVID and the dangers it presents to ourselves and those we love. Recent events at nearby universities remind us that large gatherings and failing to follow universal
precautions can have a dramatic consequence on our ability to be a Husky family.

It is of critical importance that we stay strong, stay connected and continue to care for the health and safety of others. We know how to do this. Our success, to date, has been earned through your great work. Let’s not put that in jeopardy.

UConn Provost Carl Lejuez also wrote Tuesday to faculty and staff members, informing them of the quarantine and asking them to continue being flexible — as they have been throughout the semester — in accommodating students who are unable to come to campus, and ensuring they can access course materials and continue their academic progress.

Positive tests total 137 since the first phase of testing ended on Sept. 13, officials said.