Super-spreader Event Linked to About 125 COVID-19 Cases at New Jersey College

  • October 15, 2020

An "isolated super-spreader event" has been linked to about 125 COVID-19 cases at Monmouth University in New Jersey, according to university officials.

The off-campus event was hosted more than two weeks ago, and since then the university has reported a "notable increase in COVID-19 cases," the "overwhelming majority" of which were connected to the event, university president Patrick Leahy said in a letter on Oct. 9.

The estimated 125 cases include people who attended the event as well as people who were in contact with attendees, Tara Peters, associate vice president of university marketing & communications, told ABC News.

Symptoms have been mild and no one has been hospitalized, Peters said.

Monmouth has had 319 COVID-19 cases since Aug. 24. Ninety-six of those are considered active cases and the other 223 are considered recovered cases, according to the university's dashboard.

There are also 206 students who did not test positive but were deemed "high-risk" based on contact tracing. Those students are required to quarantine for two weeks, Leahy said.

"We have had a significant decrease in active cases and the current trend line is moving in a good direction," Peters told ABC News via email Tuesday.

Monmouth is half-way through a two-week period of remote instruction as officials work to stop the spread. Leahy said a decision will be made this week if virtual learning will be extended.

"I cannot emphasize enough the critical importance of compliance with Monmouth University COVID-19 protocols and State of New Jersey health and safety measures," Leahy wrote. "The future of our fall semester will rest, in large part, on the ability of everyone to follow these necessary protocols."

Leahy said testing efforts will be ramping up on campus. Free testing is available Monday through Friday with no appointment needed and tests are expected to be returned within 48 hours, he said.

Staff has also been increased to more effectively provide test results and conduct contact tracing, he said.

Featured

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now

  • How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

    Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now

  • 77% of Americans Support Gun Detection Technology in Schools, Workplaces, and Houses of Worship

    More than three-quarters of Americans (77.4%) believe gun detection technology should be deployed in schools, workplaces, and other public spaces, according to new survey data released recently. The national survey shows strong support for incorporating camera-based gun detection into existing video surveillance systems. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

Most   Popular