Villanova University Reports 8 Active COVID-19 Cases Tuesday

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — Villanova University reported three new COVID-19 cases yesterday, and reports a total of 8 active cases as of Tuesday morning.

Since Aug. 17, when the university's tallying begins, Villanova has seen 241 cases, and of those 233 are estimated to be recovered cases. Of the 241 cases, 126 are among residential students and 109 are cases in non-residential students, with another 6 employee cases.

Today's reported cases mark a small uptick; the month of October has shown mostly single-digit case numbers most days, with a peak of 12 positive cases on Oct. 6. Otherwise, numbers of new positive cases have been low. Oct. 23, 24, and 25 saw no new cases at all.

The highest number of COVID-19 tests given was Sept. 29, when 215 were tested; Oct. 26 saw 139 tested after a decline in tests over the previous week, according to the VU COVID dashboard.

Villanova posts its COVID-19 statistics on the university website, in a stated commitment to transparency. The COVID-19 Campus Dashboard page explains the university's policy when positive cases are identified. Students who test positive for COVID-19 or who are identified as close contacts of someone who has tested positive — and who live within 300 miles of the university — are sent home to isolate or quarantine as directed. Isolation lasts for 10 days, per the policy, and quarantine is 14 days, as symptoms are monitored.

So far, the university's isolation bed space has not used more than 42 percent of its capacity, which occurred on Oct. 6. On Tuesday, five beds were in use, representing 4 percent of the school's capacity.

Villanova Tweeted the newly reported cases today.