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 The university said on Twitter that positive tests for coronavirus
were exceeding 50% in some Greek houses, higher than in dorms, and
told fraternity and sorority members to "re-evaluate their current
living situation."
"Based on an increasingly alarming rate of positive test results
from continued COVID-19 mitigation testing, IU Bloomington and its
public health experts believe Greek houses are not safe given the
pandemic conditions," the school tweeted.
Indiana University, a campus of some 40,000 students, said it lacked
the authority to manage the privately owned houses, but hoped Greek
organizations and landlords would work with students to help them
make new arrangements.
Some students responding on social media accused the school of
unfairly blaming the Greek system. Others said administrators should
have expected outbreaks where a number of people were living in
close quarters.
Major universities have grappled with thousands of students
returning to campus for the fall semester, with some imposing
online-only learning. New cases have spiked at some colleges that
have allowed students to return to class.
HOLLYWOOD STAR TESTS POSITIVE
New coronavirus infections have fallen nationwide for six weeks in a
row but surged in the Midwest. Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota
are reporting the highest percentage of positive tests, over 20% in
each state.
Hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists descended on Sturgis, South
Dakota, in August for an annual rally and health experts feared that
could further spread the virus. On Wednesday a Minnesota health
official said a motorcycle enthusiast in his 60s who had shown up
there died of COVID-19.
New cases rose 27% last week in Minnesota and 34% in Indiana.
Among those who have tested positive in recent days are British
actor Robert Pattinson, 35, bringing an abrupt halt to production of
his film "The Batman" as Hollywood struggles to regain its footing
following a pandemic shutdown.
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The Baseball Hall of Fame said late on Wednesday that Tom Seaver, considered one
of the sport's greatest right-handed pitchers, had died of complications of
COVID-19 and Lewy body dementia at the age of 75.
And pro-wrestler turned Hollywood actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, 48, said in a
video message posted on social media on Wednesday that he, his wife and their
two children had tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks but had since
recovered
New York City on Thursday allowed malls to reopen their doors to shoppers at 50%
capacity. Statewide, casinos can now operate at 25% capacity.
"Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers, we are at a point in our fight against
this virus where we can safely reopen malls in New York City as long as they
adhere to strict health and safety protocols," Governor Andrew Cuomo said.
New York has seen by far the most COVID-19 deaths of any U.S. state, with more
than 32,000, but its rate of new infections has dropped to among the lowest in
the nation.
At least 185,754 have died of the illness across the United States, according to
a Reuters tally.
U.S. public health officials and Pfizer Inc <PFE.N> said a COVID-19 vaccine
could be ready for distribution as soon as late October, just ahead of the Nov.
3 election in which the pandemic is likely to be a major factor in whether
President Donald Trump wins a second term.
(This story corrects name of Indiana University in first paragraph)
(Reporting by Maria Caspani and Peter Szekely in New York, Barbara Goldberg in
Maplewood, New Jersey, Lisa Shumaker in Chicago and Jill Serjeant, Steve Gorman
and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Cooney and Richard Chang)
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