Photos tweeted by UNC-Chapel Hill spark concern over virus; university steps up testing of unvaccinated students

The Twitter post shows students lining up to take part in a university tradition – drinking water from the Old Well on campus on the first day of classes.

The students waiting in line were wearing masks, but dozens of people commented, expressing concern that everyone was drinking from the same fountain while the highly contagious coronavirus Delta variant spreads.

"I think y’all should skip that tradition this year," one person posted. Another posted, "Please just buy a water bottle."

In a statement, UNC said public health experts gave the OK for the event since the virus does not spread easily on surfaces. Students also had the option to get bottled "well water."

Officials also said Thursday that students who haven't attested by next Monday that they are vaccinated against the virus will have to submit to twice-weekly testing, up from earlier plans to test just once a week.

"We will monitor this expansion of the testing requirement through September 15 to assess its effectiveness," officials said in a letter to the campus community.

According to UNC-Chapel Hill data, 87 percent of students are already fully vaccinated.

In addition to vaccinations and testing, the university is requiring everyone to wear masks indoors on campus.