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Coronavirus

SU reports 20 new COVID-19 cases two days after announcing cluster

Emily Steinberger | Photo Editor

Colleges and universities in New York state that report 100 positive tests within a two-week period must transition all classes to an online format for at least 14 days.

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Syracuse University confirmed 20 new coronavirus cases on Thursday among students in central New York, two days after confirming that a cluster of the virus had emerged on campus.

There are now 65 active cases of COVID-19 among students, faculty and staff in the region and 164 students in quarantine, an increase of 30 since Wednesday. Many of the infections are associated with a party that took place at an apartment complex on Walnut Avenue late last week.

The university as of Wednesday has reported 67 positive COVID-19 tests within a 14-day period. Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s guidance for reopening schools, colleges and universities that report 100 positive tests within a two-week period must limit on-campus activities and transition all classes to an online format for at least 14 days.

Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie, who has led SU’s coronavirus response, expressed optimism at a press conference Thursday morning in regards to the university’s ability to contain the cluster. No evidence exists that the cluster has spread beyond a group of students associated with the Walnut Avenue party, he said.



SU on Tuesday suspended all in-person activities, except for classes and intercollegiate athletics, as a result of the emerging cluster on campus. The university also amended its public health guidelines to limit social gatherings to no more than five people.

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