COVID-19 Clusters Reported at UNCC, Davidson College

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NC — Eight students of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte living off campus have tested positive for novel coronavirus, Mecklenburg County health officials said Tuesday. The news comes days after a report of a COVID-19 cluster was also reported at Davidson College.

"The Mecklenburg County Health Department has confirmed an off-campus COVID-19 cluster involving eight students residing together in two private residences," UNCC said, via Twitter. "These students isolated appropriately and have since recovered."

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services defines a cluster as five or more cases that are deemed close in proximity or location.

SEE ALSO: NC Gyms, Playgrounds, Bowling Alleys To Reopen: Gov. Cooper

"The University is committed to notifying the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students, even when located off campus," the school said in a statement. "While UNC Charlotte has not yet started classes for the fall semester, the University is providing notice of this COVID-19 cluster in order to raise campus and community awareness."

As of Sept. 1, 22 UNCC employees and 34 students had tested positive for COVID-19, and there were seven active cases on campus, according to the school's COVID-19 dashboard.
UNCC announced last month that while it would proceed with beginning classes on Sept. 7, it will do so remotely for three weeks. Students are set to resume in-person instruction on Oct. 1.

Friday, Davidson College reported a COVID-19 cluster had been confirmed on campus and included members of the school's baseball team.

“The students in the cluster are members of the baseball team, but any transmission among them likely was from social settings,” college officials said in a statement, WBTV reported.

County health officials launched an investigation into the cluster, according to Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris.

"We are working with Davidson officials to assure that those who test positive for COVID-19 are appropriately isolated and that contacts are quarantined. We investigate any potential clusters and provide guidance as needed," Harris said in a statement. “As we continue to see, this virus exploits any process flaw or failure to do what we know stops the spread ... wear a mask, wash your hands and stay six feet apart."

SEE ALSO:

• 4 People Test Positive for COVID-19 During Charlotte RNC Event
• Mail-In Voting In North Carolina: Deadlines, How To Get A Ballot