GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The rising number of cases has hit colleges statewide, with some having to go into quarantine and virtual learning. But despite that, administrators at UW Green Bay are experiencing lower numbers of positive tests.
There’s a few factors why.
UWGB chancellor Michael Alexander says campus has been quieter than usual.
“I will say at the moment I’m pretty thrilled about it. Normally, I would want it to be full of activity.”
Alexander tells FOX 11 it’s just one reason UWGB hasn’t seen coronavirus cases spike. Only 23 of more than 3,700 tests — less than one percent — have come back positive since Sept. 2.
“we’re aware that there’s a lot of risk still in front of us so we want to remain vigilant and helping our community.”
Students who live in residence halls are required to be tested. Off-campus students can be tested whenever they want. UWGB says it’s testing upwards of 300 people a day — almost all with rapid antigen testing. After students are tested, they can expect results within 24 hours, sometimes sooner.
“Because of the great work by the UW system we were able to get access to more tests and therefore able to test our students more,” said Alexander.
Quick contact tracing has helped too.
“The protocol is speed is what I would say. The second we know there is a case or someone is showing symptoms we have to act as quickly as possible.”
Libby Vanwagnen tells FOX 11 her first year at college has been pretty smooth.
“I have friends at different colleges and my experience compared to theirs we’ve been able to stay here a lot longer without as many shutdowns.”
Victoria Wittenbrock thinks the natural social distancing at UWGB has helped.
“Everything is so isolated up here and it’s easier to be spread out unlike a crowded big city.”
UW Oshkosh’s COVID-19 dashboard shows a steady decline of cases on campus.
It shows that of nearly 6,400 total tests, just over 9% of them are positive. UWO is also using rapid testing.
Daily positive rates have been dropping since Sept. 17. That day had the highest positive test rate so far.
Comments