June 30, 2020
UW, Public Health – Seattle & King County responding to coronavirus cases in Greek system (UW News)
Several dozen students living in fraternity houses north of the University of Washington’s campus have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days. This is concerning and reminds us that outbreaks can quickly spiral, said Dr. Geoffrey Gottlieb, chair of the UW Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases, which is involved in the response to the outbreak.
At least 38 students living in 10 fraternity houses have tested positive. Public Health – Seattle & King County is leading the response, in coordination with the University, and is currently making contact with affected students. Positive case numbers will be updated here.
All of the Greek houses are independent organizations, governed by national boards for each fraternity and sorority.
“While we were pleased to see most of the houses had previously taken measures to reduce resident capacity by up to 50% this summer in response to COVID-19, those measures are not sufficient without vigilant, daily preventive measures, such as wearing face coverings, physical distancing and hand hygiene,” Gottlieb said.
The student-run Interfraternity Council and the UW’s Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life are coordinating with UW Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), UW Medicine and local public health officials to ensure Greek residents and others who frequent the houses are engaged in active containment of the outbreak.
UW Medicine has set up a testing facility on campus within walking distance of the Greek houses. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for students living in Greek houses or apartments nearby to get tested.
