A new dashboard created by the University of Alabama System shows the number of positive coronavirus cases reported at three state schools.
The schools are The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Between Aug. 19 and Aug. 27, 1,043 cases of students infected with COVID-19 were reported at the Tuscaloosa campus, according to the dashboard. Aug. 19 was the first day of resumed in-person classes.
Between the three schools, 1,368 student cases have been reported since the onset of the pandemic, with only 10 cases reported at the Huntsville campus.
The University of Alabama has reserved isolation spaces for infected students. As of Aug. 23, about 36% of those spaces were occupied.
“We have the most robust testing regimen of any entity in the state, giving us a clear picture of virus spread and informing our decisions,” UA System Chancellor Finis St. John said in a press release Friday. “Fortunately, our isolation occupancy is below capacity, and the number will be adjusted as students complete the isolation period. We are closely monitoring our data daily, and we will continue to adjust operations as the situation warrants.”
The universities are currently conducting classes via a mix of in-person and virtual learning options.
Ricky Friend, Dean of the College of Community Health Sciences at UA, said there is no evidence of virus transmission due to in-person class instruction. The statement suggests students have transmitted the virus to each other elsewhere, potentially at restaurants and bars in the area, parties and other gatherings.
Hannah Saad, a photo editor for UA’s student newspaper, recently posted photos on social media that showed large gatherings of students near campus.
From all the houses and groups I saw, I will say that during the class photos, everyone kept their masks on. When new members were walking to houses, most had masks on, but a few had to be reminded to put them back on pic.twitter.com/26awAcCk0y
— Hannah Saad (@hannah_saad21) August 16, 2020
With parents and family members, it was more of a mixed bag, with a lot of people not wearing masks. One police officer told a group of parents, “if we can’t do this event right, now do you think we’re gonna do football?” pic.twitter.com/NVIyVDjIxX
— Hannah Saad (@hannah_saad21) August 16, 2020
Officials said no students are hospitalized due to COVID-19.
During a Monday news conference, University of Alabama president Stuart Bell said the quick rise in cases is unacceptable.
“The rise we’ve seen in recent days ... if unchecked, threatens our ability to complete the rest of the semester on campus,” he said.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox issued an executive order last week that requires bars in the city to close for two weeks, from Aug. 24 to Sept. 8.
Cox Media Group
