JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The number of COVID-19 cases at the University of North Florida doubled last week.
According to the student self-reported forms, between October 2 and October 8, 22 students tested positive for COVID-19. Four of those students live on campus while the majority lived off-campus. UNF reported 11 cases the previous week (Sept. 25 - Oct. 1).
Bob Greenlaw, UNF’s COVID-19 taskforce coordinator said that the university is taking the protocols put in place very seriously, however it’s the students who aren’t taking the protocols seriously.
The university says that the cases can be traced back to Athletics and then spread to a club, sorority and an off-campus event without masks and social distancing.
“While the University has been fortunate in its relatively low number of positive cases compared to other schools across the country, the recent increase in cases is a direct result of students not following the University’s safety guidelines," Greenlaw said. "Our Student Code of Conduct and the disruptive behavior regulations at UNF apply to behaviors on and off campus and the University will continue to take swift action against any individual(s) who are intentionally putting the campus community at risk.”
The UNF Spinnaker reported last month several videos taken at parties where there were students seen not social distancing and not wearing masks.
The university does have a coronavirus police and a violation of this policy could result in student code sanctions or disciplinary action by the university. That disciplinary action can go anywhere from a written reprimand to expulsion.
Since move-in day at UNF, August 14, there have been 86 known COVID-19 cases. Jacksonville University has had a total of 37 cases and Florida State College at Jacksonville has had 24 total cases.
Cox Media Group
