Arizona State University currently has 161 positive COVID-19 cases among its students and employees across its four campuses in metro Phoenix, the institution said in a Tuesday statement.
ASU has tested nearly 33,000 students and employees since Aug. 1. Prior to this Tuesday statement, the university resisted sharing this type of information.
"Knowing how many cases may be present in our community at one time does not give members of our community useful information about whether they particularly may need to take extra precautions," ASU said on its website.
There are currently 100,000 students and employees across our four campuses in metropolitan Phoenix, coming to the university on staggered days to maintain physical distancing, ASU said.
The statement comes after reports of off-campus parties involving ASU students. University President Michael Crow emphasized the university's COVID-19 related policies.
- Students engaged — whether hosting or attending — in social gatherings on or off campus that do not adhere to public health protocols will be subject to suspension.
- Face coverings have been required in all ASU buildings. They have also been required in outdoor spaces when social distancing hasn’t been possible. Effective immediately, face coverings are required at all times in all ASU outdoor spaces (except when eating).
- We have a no-visitor policy in our residence halls — this includes students who live in other residence halls. Students who violate the no-visitor policy will be subject to suspension and evicted from university housing.
- All students and employees must comply with our Community of Care guidelines to be on campus.
"We need everyone to follow all public health protocols: wear a mask, practice physical distancing, complete your daily health check, stay home when you are sick, wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face," Crow said. "That is the only way that we will be able to effectively manage COVID-19."
