ASU president says coronavirus manageable with correct protocol

PHOENIX — As the state’s coronavirus case numbers climb, Arizona State University is maintaining a low positive case count.

“The virus is manageable if you mask, if you socially distance, if you have a testing regimen, if you use our daily health check,” ASU President Michael Crow told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Wednesday.

“All those things tell us from our own numbers – we’ve got 100,000 people involved in the university – that the virus is something that you can manage if you follow all those procedures.”

Since Aug. 1, 2,870 ASU students and 153 employees have tested positive out of 136,177 total tests taken.

ASU reported 321 known positive cases among the student body in the most recent data update on Monday, an increase of 32 from the last update.

The university says 247 of the 321 cases are off campus in the metropolitan Phoenix area. Sixty-two are reportedly in isolation on the ASU Tempe campus.

While the statewide positive rate for diagnostic testing has climbed above 10% in recent weeks, ASU’s positive rate for students on and off campus last week was below 2%.

ASU is operating in a mix of in-person, online and hybrid learning classes while battling the pandemic.

“This is a very resilient moment,” Crow said. “Our students, for instance, at the university now have really stepped up to the occasion. They’ve adjusted, they’ve adapted, they’re moving forward.”

Crow credits the student body for their vigilance in following the university’s guidance, but cautions everyone not to let their guard down.

“We’ve got fantastic outcomes,” he said. “We know this all works if you’re just disciplined and stay focused.”