Across the country, coronavirus is seeing an uptick as the country hurdles into cold and flu season. In fact, this uptick is not a simple increase in otherwise steady numbers but topping all-time highs. reported that the U.S. on Friday, October 23rd, reached 83,757 new cases.
At the height of COVID-19’s initial surge this summer, there was a peak of 77,362 new cases in a single day. Across the world this surge has emerged as schools and businesses have re-opened along with a relaxation of COVID-19 policies. It appears as though the nation’s perception on COVID-19 is vastly different than at the start of the crisis.
While there have been doubts about the fatality of the virus, especially among young people, health experts have warned to continue COVID precautions, especially as infection rates are set to surge to potential unforeseen levels. Dr. Scott Gottlieb told , “Mortality is going to be down, but we’re going to be infecting so many people that the daily death statistics are going to be staggering.”
At Wake Forest, this national uptick is clearly felt among students, as there are currently 128 active COVID-19 cases within the past two weeks. This is a major increase, as the University has reported a total of 287 total positive cases from August 17th. As of the publishing of this article, over 50% of COVID-19 cases have occurred within the past two weeks. This signals clear spread on campus.
The University has switched its measures to an orange status, signaling a troubling increase that is believed to be in part by increased social activity. The University has also maintained that they will ramp up randomized testing, along with limiting the attendance at university sponsored events – such as Wake Forest football games.
President Hatch in his email to the student body warned of potential additional restrictions that could be in place if the virus is unable to be properly maintained,
“Should we not see a downturn in positive cases, we will consider implementing additional precautionary measures, such as installing curfews, reducing access and availability of Reynolds Gym, and eliminating indoor recreational sports.
Should the virus rate escalate rapidly, we will take more immediate action. The evaluation could also result in needing to move our community to Red Status — Reduced Contact Campus Operations.”
While Wake Forest has set precautions in order to limit the spread, including locations for quarantine the university is being tested greatly as the coronavirus reaches record highs across the country. The University may resort to more extreme measures in order to restrain the spread of COVID-19 on campus.
