ASU says 15 students have had confirmed cases of coronavirus

PHOENIX — Arizona State University said it had 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus among its student population as of Monday.

The university said it has been working with county and state health officials to locate and contact anyone who may have come in contact with a student who tested positive.

Maricopa County had seen 199 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday morning’s update.

“As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country and around the state, it is our expectation that the Arizona State University community will be among those that continues to experience positive test results,” the university said in a statement.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich questioned the university’s decision to not release the information sooner.

The first reported case of coronavirus in Arizona came from a member of the ASU community in late January.

Since, the university has moved to online classes, shut down study abroad programs and enacted other preventative measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.

ASU housing on Monday sent an email encouraging students to move out of residence halls to limit contact with others.

Student housing and essential services are still to remain open despite the recommendation, according to the email.

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