The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has canceled in-person classes, one week after students returned to campus, because of an outbreak of the coronavirus. Officials said that 130 students tested positive for COVID-19, while 177 students were in isolation and 349 were in quarantine, both on and off-campus. Five employees also tested positive.
The school said that starting on Wednesday (August 19), all undergraduate students will transition to online learning.
Officials stated that they identified four clusters of cases, with a cluster defined as five or more cases in close proximity. Two of the clusters were in residence halls, one was in a private apartment complex, and one was in a fraternity house. Most of the students who tested positive have shown mild symptoms.
"As much as we believe we have worked diligently to help create a healthy and safe campus living and learning environment, we believe the current data presents an untenable situation," Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Robert A. Blouin said in a letter to students.
While many students are expected to leave the campus, officials said it will remain open for international students, student-athletes, and students who may not have access to a reliable internet connection.
Since the pandemic began in February, 279 students and 45 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
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