LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) – Freedom University on Thursday announced a temporary quarantine across campus amid an increase in COVID-19 cases.
The quarantine will begin on Monday and last until September 10, according to media reports. The university has about 15,000 students and 5,000 faculty or staff on campus
As of Wednesday, 159 active cases were known among students, faculty, and staff, according to the university’s online COVID-19 board. Of these cases, 124 cases were among students.
It is a sharp increase from last week when 40 students and staff tested positive when students were received on campus. It also surpasses the highest number of confirmed active cases last September, when at least 141 people on campus tested positive and nearly 1,200 people were quarantined.
When the university began its fall semester this week, the university, which does not require vaccination, lifted construction capacity restrictions and distancing and masking requirements. The university changed its protocol Thursday afternoon to enact quarantine across campus, moving classes online and suspending large indoor meetings.
Outdoor events will continue as scheduled and worship services will be moved to the stadium.
The university will encourage masking and social distancing and will host vaccine clinics on campus, but did not indicate it would require such measures.