The Department of Health says there are hundreds of new Govt-19 cases involving people associated with the university as of Aug. 24. Only 23 people tested positive before that date.
“It’s an emergency,” said Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Weil said. “The rapid growth of COVID-19 cases must be stopped.”
The department said the explosion began as students returned to the East Lansing area for the fall semester. Most MSU classes are online, but “many students were either leased off campus or physically wanted to return to the university community.”
“MSU is committed to doing all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said David Weissmondel, a physician at Michigan State University. “The safety of our community as a whole is a priority and we all have a role to play in preventing the spread of the virus. This recommendation from the Department of Health is another tool that will help us do just that.”
The isolated recommendation was not an “emergency order,” but the Department of Health warned that “more severe and mandatory restrictions will be imposed if students do not follow the transfer cycle.”
The Department of Health said it would look into licensed homes for more than 10 unrelated individuals.
“I am concerned about the health and safety of the MSU community, and most importantly, I am seriously concerned that untested verified locally will affect the health and safety of all Ingham County residents,” Weil said.
Eastern Lansing Mayor Aaron Stephens called on students to consider their role in “preventing the spread of the community and ultimately saving lives.”
He added: “We still see more community gatherings in the community outside the campus where individuals are in close contact without a mask.”
Students are asked to isolate themselves for 14 days until 11:59 pm on Saturday, September 26th. The Department of Health says they are allowed to attend “in-person instruction, labs and interim athletic training.”
“They can leave their homes for work or get food, medicine, medical care or supplies that are needed to sustain or protect life when they can’t get through childbirth,” the health department added.
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