Bucknell cancels in-person classes for a week due to uptick in COVID-19 cases

LEWISBURG – With the number of coronavirus cases increasing, Bucknell University has canceled all in-person classes and urged students to stay in their rooms.

University President John C. Bravman made the announcement Sunday when the number of active COVID-19 cases reached 10. Nine of them are students.

In addition, he said, effective immediately any student who must travel more than 30 miles off-campus for any reason – including medical appointments, family events or to vote – will not be permitted to return or take in-person classes the rest of the semester.

Students who plan to travel are to notify their professors they are switching to remote learning and turn in their room key to the Department of Public Safety before departing.

“We have chosen to act swiftly and conservatively to mitigate potential infection, and will continue to closely monitor data,” Bravman wrote in emails to students on Saturday and Sunday.

“We are committed to remaining on campus and finishing the semester in residence if at all possible,” he said.

He urged members of the Bucknell community not to congregate on or off campus.

“For your physical and mental health, you may go outdoors as individuals or in small groups, with face covering mandatory at all times regardless of social distancing,” he wrote.

Bertrand Library will be closed for the week. Admission tours, athletics and student club activities are canceled but dining locations will remain open for students to pick up meals.

Students have been asked to avoid eating in local restaurants but bring food back to their room. Those who order food are to meet the delivery person outside.

Bravman called on students and employees to cooperate with contact tracing that has begun.

Since mid-August, 34,119 tests have been conducted for the coronavirus with 29 positive results among students and employees, according to the university’s dashboard.

The one employee currently with COVID-19 is quarantined off campus, spokesman Mike Ferlazzo said.

All students must be tested this week and again next week, Bravman said.

“Although our overall positivity rate has been extremely low, in the last day we approached 2 percent,” he said. “More than anything else, this increase is driving our decision-making.”

Families and guests must refrain from visiting students, both on and off campus, he said.

To reduce the spread of the virus “we ask that you wait to see your families and friends until the end of the semester,” he said.

Students were told they may anticipate frequent updates that could include extending the restrictions.

In-person classes are scheduled to end Nov. 20 with fall semester finals taken remotely between Nov. 30 and Dec. 7.

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