Coronavirus Outbreak At UW Fraternities Grows Beyond 100 Cases

SEATTLE, WA — An outbreak of coronavirus cases along the University of Washington's Greek Row has nearly tripled in size since it was first announced Tuesday.

According to an update published Thursday, at least 105 students living among 15 fraternity houses have self-reported positive test results to the Interfraternity Council. The University of Washington said 62 of those cases were verified independently, and another four were confirmed in students who had close contacts but did not live at the properties. Public health officials are working to confirm the status of the rest.

Soon after the outbreak became known to the university, it established a testing site within walking distance of Greek Row to encourage widespread testing.

"Within 24 hours, we set up a site nearby the Greek houses and apartments for students to come and be tested," said Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine Hospitals and Clinics. "Within the first day, we tested 430 students."

A pediatrician studying at UW told the Seattle Times he witnessed more than a dozen parties in the area since the pandemic arrived, with many students packed together and failing to wear face coverings.

Ending that type of behavior remains a top priority for public health workers, as they look to curtail a resurgence in new coronavirus cases in King County, with more than half of the recent illnesses diagnosed in younger adults.

"The outbreak at UW is very concerning, and it does make us concerned about what might happen this fall," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for King County. "When you don't take precautions, you get a lot of COVID in return."

Duchin repeated public health pleas that all residents fully commit to simple preventative measures to stop the spread, including maintaining physical distance, wearing face coverings in public spaces, limiting interactions and regular hand-washing.

"We need to step up our COVID prevention game big-time, right now, in order to avoid going backward," Duchin said.

With the latest cases added to the tally, nearly 150 students, faculty and staff on the university's Seattle campus have tested positive for COVID-19.