October 1, 2020
UW COVID-19 testing reveals few positives on campus; new outbreak in Greek community
FINAL UPDATE Jan. 11: For more than two months, this post has been updated regularly as cases have been added to the Greek community outbreak. The updates will continue to be provided on the UW COVID-19 Case tracking dashboard, which can be found here. Updates on the Greek community outbreak can be found by hovering over the question mark icon near the top-right corner of the dashboard on that page.
UPDATE at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11: As of Monday morning, 407 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 29 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
Students in the Greek community who have tested positive or have COVID-like symptoms are being instructed to isolate in their current place of residence, and we are not aware of any who have been hospitalized due to the virus. Others who may have been exposed to positive cases, as well as members of fraternities and sororities with positive cases, are also being asked to isolate in their current place of residence and to get tested.
UPDATE at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 7: As of Thursday morning, 404 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 29 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 11:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4: As of Monday morning, 402 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 28 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28: As of Monday morning, 399 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 27 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21: As of Monday morning, 398 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 27 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16: As of Wednesday morning, 397 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 27 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9:20 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10: As of Thursday morning, 396 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 26 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7: As of Monday morning, 395 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 26 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4: As of Friday morning, 394 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 26 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2: As of Wednesday morning, 391 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 26 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30: As of Monday morning, 388 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 25 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27: As of Friday morning, 385 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 25 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25: As of Wednesday morning, 383 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 25 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24: As of Tuesday morning, 376 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 24 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23: As of Monday morning, 374 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 23 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18: As of Wednesday morning, 373 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 23 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14: As of Saturday morning, 372 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 23 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13: As of Friday morning, 371 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 23 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11: As of Wednesday morning, 367 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 23 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 8:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9 : As of Monday morning, 363 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 23 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 : As of Saturday morning, 359 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 22 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6 : As of Friday morning, 357 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 22 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at noon Thursday, Nov. 5 : As of Thursday morning, 351 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 22 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 : As of Wednesday morning, 348 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 21 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 : As of Tuesday morning, 346 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 20 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Today’s update includes 17 cases reported to the UW today by Public Health – Seattle & King County that had not been previously identified as having a connection to the Greek community outbreak. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2 : As of Monday morning, 329 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 20 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 2:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 : As of Sunday morning, 326 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 20 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 : As of Thursday afternoon, 321 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 19 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 : As of Wednesday afternoon, 316 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 19 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 : As of Tuesday evening, 310 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. There were no updates to report Monday. The cases involve 19 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 8:50 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 : As of Sunday evening, 305 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 19 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 (corrected at 10 a.m. Sunday): As of Saturday afternoon, 300 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 19 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23: As of Friday afternoon, 298 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 18 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22: As of Thursday afternoon, 297 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 18 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 5:10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21: As of Wednesday afternoon, 295 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 18 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20: As of Tuesday afternoon, 294 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 18 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Today’s update includes new cases and the removal of false positives, which resulted in a reduction of one case from the total count previously provided. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20: As of Monday afternoon, 295 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 18 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 5:05 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16: As of Friday afternoon, 284 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 17 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. This afternoon’s update includes seven cases reported to the UW today by Public Health – Seattle & King County that had not been previously identified as having a connection to the Greek community outbreak. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 5:20 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15: As of Thursday afternoon, 269 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 17 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. This afternoon’s update includes 22 cases reported to the UW today by Public Health – Seattle & King County that had not been previously identified as having a connection to the Greek community outbreak. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 11:55 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15: As of Thursday morning, 247 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 17 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 4:35 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14: As of Wednesday afternoon, 246 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 17 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14: As of Wednesday morning, 243 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 17 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13: As of Tuesday afternoon, 242 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 17 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13: As of Tuesday morning, 239 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 16 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 10:20 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12: As of Monday morning, 238 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 16 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11: As of Sunday afternoon, 237 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 16 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10: As of Saturday afternoon, 236 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 16 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 4:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9: As of Friday afternoon, 227 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 16 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9: As of Friday morning, 225 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 16 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 4:55 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8: As of Thursday afternoon, 218 positive cases have been confirmed in relation to the Greek community outbreak. The cases involve 15 of the 45 Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chapters. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8: As of Thursday morning, 215 positive cases have been confirmed among 15 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7: As of Wednesday afternoon, 212 positive cases have been confirmed among 15 fraternities and sororities. This afternoon’s update includes 21 cases reported to the UW today by Public Health – Seattle & King County that had not been previously identified as having a connection to the Greek community outbreak. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7: As of Wednesday morning, 184 positive cases have been confirmed among 15 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6: As of Tuesday afternoon, 179 positive cases have been confirmed among 15 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6: As of Tuesday morning, 177 positive cases have been confirmed among 14 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 4:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5: As of Monday afternoon, 167 positive cases have been confirmed among 12 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5: As of Monday morning, 163 positive cases have been confirmed among 12 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4: As of Sunday afternoon, 158 positive cases have been confirmed among 12 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4: As of Sunday afternoon, 150 positive cases have been confirmed among 12 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3: As of Saturday afternoon, 144 positive cases have been confirmed among 11 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
UPDATE at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3: As of Saturday morning, 139 positive cases have been confirmed among 11 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
The student-run Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association, and the UW’s Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, are coordinating with UW Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and local public health officials to ensure Greek residents and others who frequent the houses are engaged in active containment of the outbreak. More information on these efforts can be found below.
UPDATE at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2: As of late Friday morning, 117 positive cases have been confirmed among 11 fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
The student-run Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association, and the UW’s Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, are coordinating with UW Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and local public health officials to ensure Greek residents and others who frequent the houses are engaged in active containment of the outbreak. More information on these efforts can be found below.
ORIGINAL POST: The University of Washington’s COVID-19 testing efforts have found few positive cases among residence hall students and students, faculty and staff participating in the Husky Coronavirus Testing program powered by the Seattle Flu Study. Meanwhile, a new outbreak has been identified in the UW Greek community.
Move-in testing for residence hall students was conducted over four days last week, with 1,620 students tested and five positive cases identified. In addition, 1,256 fraternity and sorority members were tested upon moving into their houses with four positive cases identified. Also, the Husky Coronavirus Testing program launched Sept. 24 and has thus far tested more than 1,000 individuals and identified 11 positive cases.
Students and employees at all three UW campuses can now sign up for the Husky Coronavirus Testing program, powered by the Seattle Flu Study. Any UW community member who will be on campus, or who is living with several other people in neighborhoods near campus, is strongly encouraged to enroll. Learn more
Working with Public Health – Seattle & King County, the UW has also identified a new outbreak in the off-campus Greek community via external testing and programs, including the City of Seattle’s free testing sites. As of late Thursday morning, 104 positive cases have been confirmed among nine fraternities and sororities. Updates on confirmed positive cases due to this outbreak will be provided on this post as they become available.
The student-run Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association, and the UW’s Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, are coordinating with UW Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and local public health officials to ensure Greek residents and others who frequent the houses are engaged in active containment of the outbreak.
The Husky Coronavirus Testing program is providing surge testing on campus within walking distance of the Greek houses to address this outbreak. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for students living in Greek houses or apartments nearby to get tested.
Students in the Greek community who have tested positive or have COVID-like symptoms are being instructed to isolate in their current place of residence, and we are not aware of any who have been hospitalized or reported severe symptoms of the virus. Others who may have been exposed to positive cases, as well as members of fraternities and sororities with positive cases, are also being asked to isolate in their current place of residence and to get tested.
Currently, there are fewer than 2,000 students living in 42 fraternity and sorority houses in the neighborhood north of campus. Additional fraternity and sorority members live in the surrounding area north of campus and away from campus.
Over the summer, a separate outbreak in the Greek community was identified and contained with a total of 154 positive cases identified over the course of about a month.
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