UNC has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Avery Residence Hall on campus.

This is the second COVID-19 cluster identified at UNC in 2021 and the first since the spring semester began on January 19. Earlier this month, a cluster was identified at Carmichael Residence Hall between students who lived on campus during winter break.

A “cluster” is defined by health officials as a five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. “Location” is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling with plausible epidemiological link between cases.

UNC’s COVID-19 dashboard shows five cases within Avery Residence Hall.

During the fall semester, Avery Residence Hall was among the numerous residence halls on UNC’s campus to report a coronavirus cluster.

Under UNC’s new testing program, asymptomatic students living in Chapel Hill or Carrboro are required to get tested once per week at one of three UNC testing locations. Students living on campus or taking in person courses will need to be tested twice per week.

Currently UNC has roughly 3,200 students living on campus as the university continues its remote learning until February 8. As of Friday January 29, UNC is reporting 455 cumulative COVID-19 cases since the university began testing earlier this month — 361 students and 94 staff members.

Overall, the university has processed more than 25,000 COVID-19 tests and is currently reporting an asymptomatic positivity rate of 0.6 percent.

At a media briefing following the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz addressed the concerns surrounding videos on social media that showed students hosting large, non-socially distanced gatherings.

“These are not just university standards,” Guskiewicz said. “As you well know, these are statewide mandates regarding gathering. I’ve been very pleased with what’s happening on campus – we’ve not had any transmission in any of our on-campus facilities, but we have to remain vigilant as we work through the rest of the semester.”

According to the university, the individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. UNC has also notified the Orange County Health Department and is working with them to identify additional potential exposures. 

This story will be updated with additional information.

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