Auburn, Ala. (EETV) - Auburn's COVID-19 Resource Center reports 424 positive COVID-19 cases at Auburn University for the week of August 16-22, the highest the number has been since September of 2020.
With the return of in-person classes this fall semester, there was no question that confirmed COVID-19 cases were going to rise. However, a spike of this intensity was unprecedented. The positivity rate of COVID tests taken is at the peak of 2021 at 21.5%.
As of now, the university has not identified a specific threshold of positive cases that will impact any normal procedures on campus. Aside from the COVID-19 numbers, the university's decisions rely on a variety of factors, including nature of operations, continued prevalence of the disease in the community, impact on local healthcare facilities, and guidance from state and federal public health agencies and officials.
Healthcare centers are swamped not only locally but statewide; more can be read about that here. In order to stay safe and stay out of hospital beds, it is imperative that we take matters into our own hands for our own safety.
To promote a healthier campus, Auburn University's COVID-19 Resource Center has a page on Safe Practices to help guide you and the people around you. Some key points are:
- Wear a proper face covering. As COVID-19 spreads mostly through respiratory droplets, a good face mask will be your best bet for safety while navigating campus.
- Get vaccinated. The unvaccinated have a much greater risk of not only contracting COVID, but suffering greater consequences from it. Auburn University provides free vaccinations. Schedule your appointment today.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces often.
- Self-report. If you believe you have contracted COVID-19, self reporting can help stop the spread and keep the people around you safer. The self-report form can be found here.
For more tips and information on Safe Practices, visit https://auburn.edu/covid-resource-center/policies/safe-practices/.
For more information on Auburn University's COVID-19 policies and reports, visit http://auburn.edu/covid-resource-center/.
