The University of Liberty on Thursday announced a quarantine across campus due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
The evangelical Christian school communications office said the “temporary mitigation period” would occur between Monday and September 10, with all residential classes moved online and large indoor meetings suspended.
There are 159 known active cases of coronavirus in Liberty, according to the COVID-19 tracker from the University of Lynchburg, Virginia, the highest number since last September, when 141 people tested positive for the virus.
Of the 159 known cases, 124 are among students.
“We are taking the necessary steps and actions to lighten the burden on our medical service providers, local hospital resources and do our part to keep our community safe,” said Keith Anderson, executive director of the student health center and Liberty welfare initiatives.
“We understand the severity of the pandemic and want to act quickly to ensure the health and safety of our campus. Through collective collaboration with our campus partners, Central Virginia Family Physicians (CVFP), and our Freedom University health and wellness professionals, we care for asymptomatic and symptomatic campus members. as quickly and thoroughly as possible, ”Anderson said.
Outdoor events, including the opening game of the football season on September 4, will take place as planned.
Masks and social distancing are encouraged on campus, but are not mandatory for either students or faculty. Free vaccine clinics will also arrive, although the vaccine is not required either.
Other measures taken to combat the virus include letting teachers continue remote instruction and adding more outdoor space and dining options for the dining room.
There are currently 15,000 students and 5,000 faculty members on campus.
Liberty received criticism last year when it welcomed students to campus after the spring break, when most other schools had already canceled the rest of the face-to-face school year due to the rising pandemic.