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Miami University reports 12 positive COVID-19 cases in first week of virtual classes

10 students, 2 employees positive
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Posted at 4:52 PM, Aug 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-21 16:52:25-04

OXFORD, Ohio — Miami University reported 10 students and two staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 as its first week of remote classes ended Friday.

The cases come out of Miami's main campus in Oxford, and the students and staff will need to be medically cleared before they can return to campus.

"This week we have all been witnessing a troubling spread of COVID-19 on university campuses across the nation, and we will continue to monitor developments as many more schools begin to reopen next week so we can learn from their challenges and decisions," said President Gregory Crawford in a message to campus Friday.

School leaders will soon determine if Miami can go forward with its planned residence hall move-in starting Sept. 14 and resume in-person classes on Sept. 21.

"It is our sincerest hope that we resume face-to-face instruction on Sept. 21, and that we do not see further significant outbreaks at other universities or here in our local community but we must be realistic in our assessments," he wrote.

COVID-19 tests are currently being conducted at Miami's Employee Health Center and Student Health Service managed by TriHealth.

You can track those positive cases at Miami's Oxford campus here. Find more information on the university's back-to-school safety plans here.

Oxford recently passed an ordinance requiring facial coverings in public spaces and another prohibiting mass gatherings of more than 10 people.