Cases of COVID-19 at SUNY Oswego have more than doubled over the last few days, according to data from the college and the Oswego County Health Department.
The college announced 26 new cases in the last two days, bringing the total number on campus since Aug. 12 to 47. According to the college's COVID-19 dashboard, 37 students are currently in mandatory isolation, and 52 are in quarantine on campus.
SUNY Oswego has one of the highest numbers of positive cases among SUNY's 64 campuses, but it was also one of the few schools in the system to implement a testing program for students before the semester began. New York State guidelines recommended schools implement a testing program, but it was not required.
The school conducted nearly 6,000 tests in the first two weeks of the semester, with only a handful of positive results. But numbers increased dramatically over the last few days.
"It is essential that we limit our engagement with others to very small groups, and make wise decisions on where we go, who we visit, and how we socialize," SUNY Oswego President Deborah Stanley said Monday in a letter to the campus community. "Please make the right choices."
Stanley said the campus is increasing the amount of testing done among students. SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced last week that every SUNY campus will be required to test all students every two weeks.
The more rigorous testing program was put in place after several colleges had outbreaks. The worst occurred at SUNY Oneonta, where more than 700 students tested positive for COVID-19 in the first two weeks of the semester. Oneonta is closing its campus and moving all instruction online for the remainder of the semester.
Other schools around the region continue to have low rates of positive tests. Syracuse University reported one new case of COVID-19 Tuesday, bringing its total number of cases to 39.
Disclaimer: WRVO Public Media is located on the SUNY Oswego campus. WRVO's broadcast license is held by the State University of New York.
