NCSU identifies coronavirus cluster, cases in fraternities, sororities

A North Carolina State University spokesman confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the university has identified a coronavirus cluster and a number of cases within the Greek life community.

A cluster is five or more cases in close proximity or location, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

The cluster of cases is at off-campus housing in the 2700 block of Clark Avenue.

A public safety notice from the university said reports indicated a party or other type of gathering was hosted at that address on or around Aug. 6 The notice said it was not known how many people were at the gathering, but encouraged anyone who attended to visit their personal healthcare provider or Student Health Services.

A spokesman said eight members of N.C. State fraternities and sororities have tested positive for coronavirus. Since the cases are in six separate fraternities or sororities but not consolidated in one house, the cases are not considered a cluster.

The spokesman would not confirm if those cases were included in the 42 new coronavirus cases N.C. State announced Tuesday. The university said it would publish updated data on cases within the campus community "daily on the weekdays or as often as possible​."

N.C. State officials said only students who show coronavirus symptoms will be tested for the virus.

Students and employees known to have been exposed to coronavirus and who are being followed in N.C. State's contact tracing program will also be tested.

Campus-wide testing and temperature checks will not be done. Officials said this is because temperature checks are not a reliable determining factor, since so many people contract the coronavirus but never show any symptoms.

Officials also said because of the size of the campus population, testing could not be done at the speed or volume that would be meaningful, effective or realistic.

N.C. State is considering testing surveillance populations.

According to officials, the university will focus on education for the community, encourage students and staff to monitor their health and seek medical attention when symptomatic and to report any positive cases so the university can do contract tracing.