Notre Dame reports fewer new COVID-19 cases as students prepare to return to class | Education
SOUTH BEND — The University of Notre Dame saw a drop in new COVID-19 infections Monday, two days before students return to in-person classes.
The university confirmed three new cases on Monday, based on 369 tests performed Sunday. That reflects less than 1% of Sunday’s tests coming back positive for the infection.
The overall number of confirmed cases on campus is now at 577.
Starting Wednesday, Notre Dame will return to in-person classes in stages, and gradually resume other activities after university president, after the Rev. John Jenkins, university president, announced last week that, with COVID-19 rates declining among students, it was safe to do so.
The university earlier had shifted to virtual classes and closed off public areas on campus, acknowledging it wasn’t prepared for an early spike in cases.
“The virus dealt us a blow and we stumbled, but we steadied ourselves and now we move on,” Jenkins said Friday in a livestreamed address to students, faculty and staff. “Let us redouble our diligence in observing health protocols and recommit to a semester of learning and growth. Together, we are writing one of the great comebacks in Notre Dame history.”
According to Notre Dame’s COVID-19 dashboard, 30 graduate students, 542 undergraduate students and five university employees have tested positive for the virus since Aug. 3. Of the total positive cases, 241 remain active and 336 have recovered.
Over the past week, Notre Dame has seen an average number of 18 new COVID-19 cases per day, with an average positivity rate of 4%.
The university began random surveillance testing of students and staff on Aug. 21.
Of the 6,624 tests that have been conducted since Aug. 3, 3,444 of them have been surveillance tests. The remainder, 3,180, have been diagnostic tests.
Saint Mary’s college reported two new positive cases on its campus Monday, according to the school’s updated COVID-19 dashboard. The overall number of confirmed cases is now at 30.
Holy Cross College has reported five positive COVID-19 cases on its campus.
Tri-campus community leaders have reminded students and staff to commit to wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, completing daily health checks online and limiting social gatherings to no more than 10 people.
Jenkins also asked Notre Dame students to report for surveillance testing when randomly selected.
“We must do these things if we are to have a safe and successful semester on campus,” Jenkins said.
Meanwhile, the St. Joseph County Health Department reported 1,223 active coronavirus cases in the county Monday based on an average of 66.7 cases per day over the past seven days. The county’s positivity rate is at 9%, all in the red categories used by the county for school reopening criteria.
