University of Illinois reports over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases in 17 days, steps of enforcement measures

The University of Illinois reached out to students via Mass Mail Wednesday as they step up enforcement of COVID-19 safety guidelines after an increase of 330 cases on campus in two days. 

Since move-in began on Aug. 16, there have been 1,013 new cases according to the University’s Shield Testing Data. Currently, in Champaign County, there are 549 active cases.

Previously, both the City of Champaign and Urbana put out emergency orders to require all customers to be seated in order to be served at all bars and restaurants in preparation for students returning to campus. Indoor seating at Campustown restaurants was also put on hold until after Labor Day.

The university continually monitors COVID-19 infections with their saliva-based test that students who live in dorms or visit campus are required to take twice a week.

But the University of Illinois said that “ the irresponsible actions of a small number of students have created the very real possibility of ending an in-person semester for all of us.” Chancellor Robert Jones wrote.

In order to curb that possibility, the university is urging students to only do what is necessary for the next two weeks. 

“For two weeks, starting today at 5 p.m., for your own protection, we expect all undergraduate students to limit their in-person interactions to only the most essential activities,” he wrote. “These include things like taking twice weekly COVID-19 tests, attending class, purchasing groceries and food, going to work, engaging in individual outdoor activity, attending religious services and seeking medical attention.

And here is the hardest part. We need you to strictly avoid social gatherings under any circumstances for these two weeks. We know what we are asking with this. Being together with friends is a big part of why you chose to come back. And for our freshmen, opening your college experience with the same isolation that ended your high school career is intensely disappointing.”

Students who violate the safety policies and directives from public health will be asked to leave the university. 

Within the first two weeks of classes, a student was issued an interim suspension for hosting a large party at his apartment on Friday; another student was issued an interim suspension for violation of a quarantine order on Saturday; a student who posted a video on social media attempting to show people how to circumvent the Safer Illinois app is facing discipline; the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity has been placed on interim suspension after another large party this weekend; approximately 100 additional students and organizations are facing disciplinary action for their behavior over the weekend.

Additionally, students who tested positive for COVID-19 chose to socialize instead of isolating themselves. Others who have tested positive are avoiding contact tracers.

“These violations are unacceptable, and as we identify more individuals who are being irresponsible, they should be prepared to interrupt their studies and leave campus,” Jones wrote.

More than 400 new positive cases have been identified in undergraduate students since the first day of instruction on Aug. 24. About 800 individuals are currently in quarantine. 

“In the past few days, the number of positive cases has increased at a rate that is on track to double the number of cases every week. If that trend continues, the university would experience 75-100 new cases each day and would expect to have as many as 8,000 positive cases over the course of the semester,” Public Affairs at the University of Illinois wrote here.