Elon University continues in-person classes after identifying over 100 COVID cases in two days

More than 100 coronavirus cases were reported at Elon University over the past two days tied to coronavirus clusters. To date, more than 400 students have tested positive and nearly 400 are in quarantine.

Posted 3:01 p.m. Oct 25, 2020 — Updated 3:09 p.m. Oct 25, 2020

Maggie Brown

, WRAL multiplatform producer

ELON, N.C. — More than 100 coronavirus cases were reported at Elon University over the past two days tied to coronavirus clusters. To date, more than 400 students have tested positive and nearly 400 are in quarantine.

In response, the university put in place "mitigation" efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus on campus. University officials did not say they would be suspending in-person classes or closing dorms, but instead officials are asking that students take part in a "social hiatus" and limit their social activity.

Elon officials said they found no evidence that the virus was transmitting in the classroom, according to a news release.

Since August, 17 university employees have tested positive for the virus.

"This structured environment is an asset to our community and our mental health," university officials said. "This new surge in cases does not suggest a change in our classroom instruction model, as long as students and faculty continue their safety protocols."

About 6,200 undergraduate students attend Elon University, located in the North Carolina piedmont.

Even while continuing to hold indoor classes at regular capacity, the university is instructing that students limit all social gatherings to five people at most -- indoors or outdoors.

According to university data, more than 240 students are quarantining on campus or in their off-campus apartments. A total of 140 students are quarantining in a hotel.

All sorority and fraternity meetings have been suspended. Five coronavirus clusters have been identified in Greek organizations, Elon's student news organization reports.

"High-contact" club and intramural sports have been suspended, and any sport with low contact that has a positive case will have to suspend practice and games.

The university said it would limit non-essential travel to and from campus. It is unclear from a university news release how the school would be enforcing this rule.

The school will also be testing about half of its undergraduate population over the next week, according to a news release.

Suggest A Correction