Cal Poly sees spike in COVID-19 cases just days before students move on campus
Just days before students are set to move in, Cal Poly saw a spike in COVID-19 cases among students, faculty and staff, according to the university’s coronavirus information website.
The San Luis Obispo university reported 13 new cases since Friday, bringing its total to 58 since March. In August alone, 40 new cases stemming from the university’s students and staff were reported.
Six employees and 52 students have tested positive for the virus since March, according to university spokesman Matt Lazier. The university has tested 508 students through its Campus Health & Wellbeing.
Of the cases, 52 are in San Luis Obispo County, according to the university’s website.
Cal Poly students are set to begin moving into campus residence halls Thursday, with the last day to move in being Sept. 13. Classes begin Sept. 14.
No more than 4,253 students are allowed to move in to campus residence halls, but fewer than that are expected to move in, according to Cal Poly Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Humphrey. He said 4,606 students applied for housing contracts as of last Wednesday, with that number expected to decrease as students received their schedules and the housing deferral deadline passed.
Early last week, the university planned to bring 5,150 students on campus, which was down from Aug. 12 when the university announced that number at nearly 6,000.
The decrease came after public outcry largely generated by an open letter penned on Aug. 19 by concerned faculty members and signed by nearly 450 concerned students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and community members.
“We see through your daily last minute updates to bring back students at any cost,” wrote one staff member on the letter. “It’s obvious your priority is $$ [money] over campus and community well-being and safety.”
The university will house students in singles-only housing, said Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong during a livestreamed town hall Thursday.
Students coming to campus required to present negative COVID-19 test
In addition, Cal Poly will require that all students living on campus or attending campus for classes present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arriving on campus. The university previously only required students living on campus to present the negative test result.
Many parents expressed concern that obtaining a COVID-19 test for their kid was difficult to impossible because many testing services only test those who present symptoms.
“We understand that logistics and other circumstances may make it difficult for a student to obtain a test within this time frame,” Armstrong said at the town hall. “In the event that a student cannot obtain a test, students can still check in.”
Armstrong said the university, in partnership with Dignity Health, will have the capacity to test all students who will be on campus “for any reason” before classes start. Those students who are not able to obtain a test will be able to obtain one at Campus Health & Wellbeing, Armstrong said.
Students awaiting results from a COVID-19 test can still arrive for their scheduled move in, according to a recent campus communication.
Additionally, students who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last few months may bring documentation to show their positive test to be allowed on campus, said J. Trees Ritter, Chief Medical Officer at the Arroyo Grande Community Hospital at the university’s town hall meeting.
“Knowing that there is at least some durable immunity, although that length of that immunity is still unclear,” Ritter said. “So, if you, for example, had COVID two months ago, you can bring some sort of documentation of that, that would suffice as well.”
An antibody test will not be accepted, according to a campus-wide communication.
If a student tests positive for the virus, they are required to isolate. The university has 117 isolation rooms set up for students on campus.
In-person classes still offered at Cal Poly
Cal Poly will offer about 12% of its 4,300 classes in person, Armstrong said in the town hall, and that enrollment data suggests that fewer than 6,000 students will be taking at least one in-person class this fall.
The university is mandating that students and employees wear masks while on campus and in public spaces at all times, and adhere to proper physical distancing and sanitation measures.
“The key, of course, is compliance with these precautions,” Armstrong said. “Every person has the responsibility to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”
Students who do not comply with the school’s safety measures may be sanctioned, which may include suspension or expulsion. The university will not approve parties or events hosted by any school organizations, Armstrong said, and is working in conjunction with the San Luis Obispo Police Department to help report and enforce violations.
This story was originally published August 30, 2020 at 1:53 PM.
