Naval Academy Moves Infected Students To Hotel, Classes Go Online

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The U.S. Naval Academy moved 98 coronavirus-positive midshipmen to an Annapolis hotel on Monday evening. The college said the move was necessary to create more room in its quarantine and isolation dormitory, Bancroft Hall.

Administrators also announced a temporary return to virtual learning on Sunday. These switches come as the school battles a spike in coronavirus infections.

The relocated students will isolate in the Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis Downtown, located at 174 West Street. There will be two midshipmen per room. No guests or deliveries are allowed.

The students must stay isolated in their quarters until they are escorted outside for scheduled wellness time. The Naval Academy will check on each person twice daily.

Back on campus, the other midshipmen are under full restriction of movement. For at least 10 days:

• Classes will be online
• Students will eat in their dorm rooms
• Midshipmen will be allotted two hours of daily outdoor time with a maximum of one roommate
• Anybody who is identified as a close contact will take a daily rapid result coronavirus test
• Sporting events and practices will be suspended

Women's and men's varsity basketball may continue, however. Still, the women's team cannot participate in the Patriot League tournament because somebody in the program tested positive. The men's team will continue as planned since it has been isolated from the rest of the Brigade since last week.

Masking and distancing will still be required. Campus remains closed to visitors. Even those with approved access to the Yard should stay away until further notice. For more information on the Naval Academy's coronavirus restrictions, head to usna.edu/COVID-19/.

"While our midshipman population is young and healthy, and likely able to rebound from COVID-19, there are still too many unknowns with COVID-19 to take this situation lightly," Superintendent Vice Admiral Sean Buck said in a press release. "The health and safety of our entire Naval Academy family is, and will remain, my highest priority while we continue to execute our mission of developing our future naval leaders."

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