The University of Connecticut has placed five campus dormitories under quarantine after 35 students tested positive for Covid-19.
School officials blamed March parties for the outbreak and elevated the main campus in the town of Storrs to ‘yellow’ restrictions that include quarantine online tuition for students.
“This increase in positives may be related to large off-campus events reported this past weekend,” student dean Eleanor Daugherty said in a letter.
The quarantine means that students in the Eddy, Middlesex, Windham, Rogers and Russell dormitories will not be able to attend classes or events. Daugherty said all residence residents of the campus will be denied visitors.
Residents of the five dormitories must either stay on campus during the spring break, which is planned for the week of April 11, or complete the quarantine at home, Daugherty said.
Connecticut police broke up a house party near the campus on March 27 that was attended by about 100 guests, the agency said in a statement.
“It was reported that the people at the event did not have social distance,” the department said.
Two people have been arrested, one on suspicion of offering the opportunity despite pandemic restrictions, and the other in connection with throwing a drink at a government official, police said.
Daugherty warned against partying.
“These gatherings increase the risk of exposure and spread, which is much more likely to occur if we do not follow universal precautions such as wearing masks and keeping physical distance,” she said.
Joe Studley contributed.