Fairleigh Dickinson Party Behind Rise In Campus Coronavirus Cases

TEANECK, NJ — A rise in coronavirus cases at Fairleigh Dickinson's metro campus can be traced back to a recent off-campus party, university officials announced.

According to the latest coronavirus update from the university, four resident students and five off-campus metro students tested positive for the coronavirus.

University officials say this rise in numbers, reported on Oct. 14, relates back to an Oct. 10 party.

"Numerous" student-athletes were present at the party, which prompted the university to administer over 100 tests on the Metropolitan Campus, the university announced.

Of those 100 tests, four returned positive results, they said.

"We are fortunate that in this case the vast majority of students tested negative, but we need to remain very vigilant to safeguard the health of everyone on our campuses," the university said in the update. "Please continue to take all precautions possible including wearing masks and practicing social distancing, and please remember we are all responsible for each other."

Contact tracing and cleaning protocols were enacted after the positive tests were received, which resulted in the closing of the Rothman Center on the metro campus, which has since reopened.

In addition to the cases on the metro campus, two Florham Campus resident students and six off-campus students tested positive for the coronavirus, as did one campus employee.