Health

Assumption orders students to shelter-in-place after spike in COVID-19 cases

WORCESTER, Mass. — Citing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases and the number of students in quarantine and isolation, the City of Worcester and Assumption University have agreed to a campus lock-down effective at 8 a.m. Friday and until Nov. 6, with students sheltering in place and taking classes remotely only.

Masslive reported Thursday that the university had announced eight more COVID-19 cases had been detected this week and that 22 percent of campus residents, or 115 students, were quarantined or in isolation.

“Students will be sent home for any instances of non-compliance with the shelter-in-place,” according to a post from Assumption President Francesco Cesareo.

The Worcester Department of Public Health contacted the university, leading to the mutual agreement and lock-down approach “to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on and off campus.”

The requirement means students are not allowed to leave their residence hall, floor, or apartment, or to exit or enter campus, except to pick up meals at one of three drop-off locations, for medical emergencies, or for twice-per-week COVID-19 testing.

Students who decide to go home will not be allowed to return to campus until January and the only visitors allowed on campus during lock-down are family members coming to pick students up to take them home.

Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts

>> Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here

RESOURCES:

- Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here

- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Watch Boston 25 NOW

- Download our free apps for your phone and smart TV