UConn Reports Significant Drop In Coronavirus Cases

STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut has 22 current positive or suspected on-campus student cases, the lowest number of cases since students returned to campus in August, according to a university statement. UConn recently updated its public dashboard showing one new on-campus case and no new off-campus cases.

A total of 268 students who were positive and/or symptomatic and treated by Student Health and Wellness have recovered and left isolation.

Residential and commuter students were initially tested before re-entry. This testing phase ended Sept. 13, but the university continues to test students in large numbers.

The on-campus positive rate at UConn Storrs is currently 0.44 percent among residential students. This number has dropped from a rate of over 2 percent Sept. 28.

"In a time of increased rates of infection, UConn has proven to be an outlier," Eleanor Daugherty, associate vice president and dean of Students, said in a statement. "With one of the largest residential populations and rate of in-person learning among flagships in the region, we have one of the lowest rates of COVID infection as of today."

UConn also continues testing wastewater from several on-campus spots to assess the presence of COVID-19 virus as a way to predict and limit the potential scope of outbreak.

"We have done this together and I am particularly grateful to the students who have joined our exceptional medical and residential teams in this work," Daugherty said. "Together, we have followed universal precautions such as mask wearing and physical distancing. Together, you have made sacrifices including periodic quarantining, participating in pooled and surveillance testing, and, when necessary, isolation."

Daugherty warned in the letter that the university's work is not done, noting that gatherings will need to be limited with Halloween coming up.

See related: UConn Reports 58 COVID-19 Cases