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U.Va. reports largest daily increase in positive COVID-19 cases as total rises to 321

39 positive cases were reported in the University community Friday, the single largest daily increase

The numbers only include those who have been tested through Student Health and Wellness or a University clinic.
The numbers only include those who have been tested through Student Health and Wellness or a University clinic.

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The University’s COVID Tracker reported 321 total cases of COVID-19 in the community Friday, 276 of which are student cases. 39 individuals in the University community — a metric that includes students, faculty, staff and contract workers — tested positive for the virus Friday, marking the single largest daily increase in the community since Aug. 17. 

The numbers only include those who have been tested through Student Health and Wellness or a University clinic. 

24 students tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, 24 Wednesday and 38 Thursday. In the University community more broadly, 26 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, 25 Wednesday and 39 Thursday. 

Eight percent of the University’s roughly 1,500 student quarantine beds are occupied. This number includes students in post-travel quarantine. 

When asked how many cases, hospitalizations or deaths would trigger the University to close dorms and end in-person instruction in an interview with The Cavalier Daily on Wednesday, University President Jim Ryan said the University does not have a target number, but is rather looking at testing and hospital capacity as well as available space for isolation and quarantine.

Hospitalizations are steadily decreasing, four students were hospitalized on Wednesday and one Thursday. The U.Va. Health Hospital Testing lab currently has a 26-hour average test turnover time. 

These numbers do not include total cases in the Charlottesville community at large. Reported through the Thomas Jefferson Health District Data Portal, there are now 867 confirmed cases in Charlottesville. The TJHD data portal also reports a total of 27 hospitalizations and 24 deaths in Charlottesville. The portal is updated daily at 10:00 a.m.

In a Return to Grounds email update, University Provost Liz Magill and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis re-emphasized the Universities intent to continue monitoring COVID testing and cases. The three-pronged plan includes required random testing, asymptomatic screening using saliva samples and wastewater testing. The programs are expected to launch in late September.  

Students and University community members are reminded to download COVIDWISE, the exposure notification app managed by the Virginia Department of Health as well as the HOOS Health Check app, through which students can report their daily symptom status to the University. 

Additionally, students may pick up their student wellness kit containing two reusable cloth face coverings, two small bottles of hand sanitizer and a door opener tool. Undergraduate and graduate students can pick up their kit at the information desk in Newcomb Hall or the first floor desk at 1515 from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. every day.

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