Parents, students question the value of the university experience during COVID-19
New cases of COVID-19 in the Greek University of Washington system leave many people wondering what will happen when tens of thousands of students return to campus in the fall.
SEATTLE – Several dozen students living in fraternity houses north of the University of Washington campus have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days, according to a university statement.
“This is troubling and reminds us that outbreaks can increase rapidly,” said Dr. Geoffrey Gottlieb, chairman of the UW Communicable Diseases Advisory Committee, which is involved in outbreak response.
At least 38 students living in nine fraternity houses have tested positive. Public Health: Seattle and King County lead the response and work with UW to contact affected students. Positive case numbers will be updated here.
All Greek houses are independent organizations, governed by national boards for each fraternity and brotherhood.
“While we were pleased to see that most homes had taken steps to reduce resident capacity by as much as 50% this summer in response to COVID-19, those steps are not enough without daily and vigilant preventive measures, such as use of face covers, physical distance and hand hygiene, ”said Gottlieb.
University of Washington campus
UW Medicine has established a testing center on campus within walking distance of Greek houses in an effort to make it as easy as possible for students living in nearby Greek houses or apartments to take the test.
Students who have tested positive or have COVID-like symptoms are isolating themselves in their rooms, and none have been hospitalized or reported severe symptoms of the virus, Greek leaders said.
UW says there are about 1,000 students living in 25 fraternity houses in the neighborhood north of campus. Residents are asked to quarantine or self-isolate, meaning that those who have tested positive for COVID-19, those who have symptoms, and those who may have been exposed but show no symptoms remain in their homes.
“What is happening north of campus offers lessons for students as they consider their return to campus this fall. If everyone does their part to stay safe, we can continue to interact with each other and with our studies in the university environment by wearing face covers and staying physically distant, ”said Gottlieb. “If we don’t, measures like the ones now required at Greek Row will be inevitable. I have a feeling that all students want to return to a certain sense of normalcy, so I urge everyone to follow public health guidelines so that we can do that. ”
Students living in or near Greek homes should contact the UW Department of Health and Environmental Safety by sending an email to [email protected] if they tested positive for COVID-19 or suspect they have been infected.
Visit the university’s COVID-19 website for more information.
