Bryant University Likely Causing Coronavirus Spike In Smithfield

PROVIDENCE, RI — An increase in COVID-19 cases in Smithfield is likely due to a spike in cases at Bryant University, reported The Providence Journal Tuesday.

Smithfield has had the highest number of new COVID-19 cases per capita in Rhode Island for three consecutive weeks, said Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) officials.

“Cases among Bryant University students are believed to have been a big factor," RIDOH spokesperson Joseph Wendelken told The Providence Journal in an email Tuesday.

Health department data reveals that Smithfield had 227 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population the week ending Feb. 13, a number that nearly doubled to 453 for the week ending Feb. 20. The number of new cases increased to 786 for the week ending Feb. 27 and decreased to 462 for the week ending March 6.

During that time, the number of positive COVID-19 cases among Bryant University students more than doubled, said health officials.

Due to the spike in cases, Bryant university has increased testing from once a week to twice a week and halted all in-person student activities except for classes, said Inge-Lise Ameer, Bryant’s Vice President of Student Affairs.

There is no evidence of the virus spreading off campus and no students who tested positive for COVID-19 have been hospitalized.