News

UChicago Reports 10 New COVID Cases in Weekly Update

For the first time this year, the University reported that out of more than 4,000 surveillance tests administered last week, none came back positive.

By Laura Gersony and Adyant Kanakamedala

March 13, 2021

William Rainey Harper Memorial Library.

The University reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 this week, according to an email sent by UChicago Forward to the University community on Friday, March 12.

The email also reported that none of the 4,269 surveillance tests conducted during the past week came back positive, which is the lowest figure the University has reported since it began issuing weekly updates. The surveillance testing program has not found any new cases since February 25.

There are six close contacts associated with this week’s reported cases. There are currently no students in on-campus isolation housing, and seven students are isolating off campus.

The University also announced that Friday was the final day to apply to participate in the voluntary testing program for the remainder of the academic year.

The City of Chicago’s seven-day positivity rate decreased from 2.9 percent last week to 2.8 percent.

The University’s update came as President Joe Biden announced that all Americans are expected to be eligible for a vaccine by May 1. He also said that he wants the country to achieve “independence from this virus” by July 4 so people can hold small family gatherings.

The City of Chicago tentatively set May 31 as the starting date for Phase 2 of vaccine distribution, during which everyone 16 years or older will be eligible to receive a vaccine. Citywide leadership has yet to address the discrepancy between this timeline and Biden’s remarks.

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About the Contributor

Laura Gersony, Grey City editor

Laura Gersony is a fourth-year studying political science and environmental and urban studies. She has written for The Maroon’s longform section, Grey City, since her first year, and she has edited the section since her second year. Her work includes investigations into campus sustainability, disability issues, a mass exodus from Greek life, the end of the world, and Hyde Park's small population of subtropical green parrots. She and a colleague won an Honorable Mention from the Illinois College Press Association for surfacing a pattern of discrimination lawsuits in UChicago’s Facilities Services department. Laura covers energy and the environment for the water news outlet Circle of Blue.