New CDC study explains urgent need to stop the spread of...

The Center of Disease Control (CDC) recently expressed concern about the spread of COVID-19 among young American adults and also noted that colleges are contributing to that surge. The organization’s research found that an increase in positivity rates for 24-year-olds and younger would be followed a few weeks later by an increase in 25-year-olds and younger. The study examined 767 hotspot districts through June and July this year and reported that the trend was particularly true in western and southern parts of the country. The CDC found that this increase in positivity rates in older populations will result in additional hospitalizations and death.

This report was released on October 2nd, a few weeks before the massive spike in COVID-19 cases across the country. CNN reported that daily coronavirus cases have recently hit new highs. 83,700 cases were confirmed on October 29, the highest number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began. This goes back to data released by John Hopkins, which shows that the virus has not decreased significantly in any of the states. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former commissioner for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said it was more than likely the U.S. will approach 100,000 new cases a day.

These are discouraging numbers, and with the general increase in cases in Sangamon County, the University of Illinois Springfield recently revised its United in Safety Policy to better reflect expectations for on-campus gatherings.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UIS faculties, employees and students should try to find creative ways to get in touch virtually with non-university people. Campus guests should be considered exception rather as part of general operations. A campus guest is someone who is not directly connected to the university (actively employed or an active student) and attends UIS. ”