(WWJ) Central Michigan University administrators are cracking down on large gatherings amid a surge of COVID-19 cases, less than a week after classes resumed.
The Central Michigan District Health Department reports 38 cases of COVID-19 connected to students after classes started up again on Monday, August 17.
Bridge Magazine reports contact tracers found out some students held their usual large house parties and celebrations to kick off the first week.
A video posted to Twitter showed hundreds of students pouring out of a house party near the Mount Pleasant campus.
In a message posted on the University’s website; Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Tony Voison, said: “We will immediately fine, or even suspend, individuals who host or attend large gatherings.”
He wrote about what’s unfolding at some universities around the country: “large weekend parties have resulted in an increase in positive COVID-19 diagnoses — and in some, the shutdown of their entire campuses. The actions of a few selfish students have ruined an entire year for thousands of their peers.”
“What you do matters,” Voison stated in the letter.
It is unclear how ill the students who tested positive are, or if they are asymptomatic.
Related: University Goes Remote After 130 Additional Students Test Positive for COVID-19
CMU has put a number of safety protocols in place including mandatory self-screening, face coverings, and social distancing.
Other local universities are also going the extra mile to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Detroit Free Press reports Ann Arbor Police plan to bust gatherings at the University of Michigan of 25 or more after students return to campus at the end of August.
The University of Michigan is also working to launch a screening app called ResponsiBlue on August 24. Individuals will be asked three yes or no questions based on The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance about COVID-19 symptoms.
Based on their answers, individuals will either receive a green or a red screen; according to an article in the campus paper, The University Record.
Students, faculty and staff with a green screen will be allowed to enter university buildings.
A red screen will indicate the person needs to stay home and will give them further guidance, based on their answers to the three questions.
However, it does not necessarily mean the student needs to be tested for the virus; according to school health officials.
U of M has also launched an online dashboard to keep track of reported cases, percent positivity rates and other key metrics related to the spread on campus.
Michigan State University has announced it will be 100% remote this fall.
Related: Michigan State University Reverses Course, To Go Online Only This Fall Due To COVID Fears
This comes as the state announces 953 new cases of the virus Saturday and 11 deaths. 8 of those deaths were identified through a vital records review process. 3.2% of the nearly 23,000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours came back positive.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports 404 adults and 7 children are in Michigan hospitals statewide with a confirmed case of the virus. Less than 2 percent of active cases in Michigan are hospitalized.
72,580 Michiganders are considered recovered from COVID-19.