Three of the 500 students who returned to campus this weekend at Norwich University have tested positive for the coronavirus, the school’s president announced in a community-wide letter Monday.
The students who tested positive have been notified and are in quarantine. The school says it has set aside two buildings to isolate anyone currently infected with the virus.
The private military college is bringing students back in six phases and testing each student upon arrival, as well as again seven days later. About 2,600 students live on the Northfield campus, and the school has said it will conduct about 700 tests on a weekly basis after the initial arrival period. The campus has also been outfitted with four passive temperature sensors.
Norwich president Mark Anarumo’s letter also addressed reports that students had been breaking the college’s pandemic behavior code over the weekend by socializing in a front yard without physical distancing or masks.
Anarumo said he went to the house to speak to the get-together’s host, who reportedly explained attendees had been living in Vermont and had quarantined prior to the event. Anarumo says he told the student about “the importance of perception even when following rules closely.”
“Our meeting was productive and we will use it as a teaching moment for all,” Anarumo wrote. “Moving forward, please let me be clear: infractions against our Maroon and Gold Behavior Contract will not be tolerated.”
The administrator added that, in response to community concerns, college students would not be allowed to exercise off campus until further notice.
— Lola Duffort
