COVID-19 spreading at Greek houses throughout Indiana colleges and universities

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Local colleges and universities are facing new questions of what to do when students test positive for the Coronavirus. Wabash College in Crawfordsville now has a cluster of cases. Indiana University says more students have to quarantine.

14 new cases at Wabash College are linked to communal living. The Montgomery County Health Department says it’s no surprise there’s an increase in cases because students are back on campus. Controlling the spread of the virus is what’s crucial.

Health officials say the positive cases were found in Greek houses and dorms. Wabash College does have a surveillance program that identifies students with COVID-19. The program includes random testing and an app used to monitor symptoms of students and staff. If students test positive, isolation begins with help from staff on campus.

In Bloomington, IU has 30 Greek houses on lock down. That’s an increase from eight houses that were originally told to quarantine last week.

Dr. Anthony Fauci believes there’s only one solution and that doesn’t mean packing up and heading home.

“It’s the worst thing you could do,” he said. “Keep them at the university in a place that’s sequestered enough from other students, but don’t have them go home. Because they could be spreading it in their home state.”

There are 2,600 students who live in IU’s 24 Greek houses. University officials don’t know how many students have been told to quarantine since each house allows a different number of residents.

The Indiana State Department of Health breaks down demographics related to COVID-19. There’s also a breakdown of local demographics county by county.