UArizona to lift self-quarantine recommendation for students
Sep 28, 2020, 1:08 PM | Updated: 1:09 pm
(Facebook Photo/UArizona)
(Facebook Photo/UArizona)
PHOENIX — The University of Arizona is set to lift a shelter-in-place recommendation Tuesday as coronavirus cases have decreased and compliance with public health guidance has improved.
The university reported a 3.4% positivity rate for the 1,051 new tests conducted ahead of its most recent update posted Friday.
University officials and Pima County health experts recommended a 14-day self-quarantine for students living on or near campus on Sept. 14 because of a rise in COVID-19 test results.
In the update prior to the shelter-in-place request, the positivity rate was 8.8%.
“Recommendations for face coverings, physical distancing and other measures will continue to be the hallmark of our success,” University of Arizona President Robert Robbins said Monday in a press release.
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“I encourage all of you – students, faculty, staff and other members of our southern Arizona community, including visitors to our campus – to continue following the rules so that we can protect one another and move forward.”
The University of Arizona also said its campus area response team is having to break up fewer parties and other large social gatherings.
The group, which responds to complaints of large gatherings and other concerns, responded to 13 properties over the weekend, a decrease of four from the previous weekend.
“This is a real success. People are following the rules,” Robbins said. “We’re seeing less large gatherings off campus, in particular.”
There were 252 students in isolation housing and another 43 students isolating off campus as of Friday.
Robbins has said he wants to see the positivity rate remain below 5%.
A rise in case numbers above that mark could result in another shelter-in-place recommendation, Robbins said.
The university will offer in-person instruction for essential courses only through at least Oct. 5.
“These improvements in case numbers and outcomes are coming from improved compliance,” Robbins said. “Washing your hands, covering your face and staying away from as many people as possible.”
