Ohio State releases latest data on positive COVID-19 results
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio State University on Wednesday released the latest results for the number of students and employees who have tested positive for COVID-19.
882 students have tested positive between Aug. 14 and Aug. 31 while 20 employees tested positive between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31, according to the university.
So far, OSU has reported 27,281 negative results among students and 1,204 negative results among employees.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, Ohio State reported 495 students and 16 employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
“It’s not going in the right direction. It’s kind of disappointing,” said freshman Bobby McAlpine. “My cousin lives off campus and he was saying he was actually feeling unsafe at times because there were parties going on everywhere”
The on-campus student positivity rate decreased to 5.7% from our last update of 5.86%. This shows that by wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart and following all safe and healthy guidelines, you are having an impact. Let’s keep it going.
The off-campus undergraduate positivity rate is not as encouraging at 9.66% in our first 24-hour snapshot from Monday. I am confident that by strictly following the Together As Buckeyes guidelines we can drive this positivity rate down. We need your focused attention to move in that direction and keep each other, our families and all Ohioans safe and healthy.
Dr. Kristina Johnson, Ohio State University President
OSU President Dr. Kristina Johnson told NBC4 on Tuesday that she’s not surprised to see an uptick in cases. She says that’s why the university is working to increase contact tracing to slow the transmission of the virus.
Dr. Johnson also stressed the importance of being safe and following all guidelines during the Labor Day weekend.
Students can register to get tested on site at Jesse Owens North on Thursday or Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
“The biggest thing is just to know if the university’s going to try to kick us off campus or are they going to try to keep us here,” said OSU student Dylan Marfisi.
He’s not the only student worried about being forced off campus.
“I’m just scared I’m going to be sent home,” said OSU student Elizabeth Detling. “After only being here three weeks, it’s kind of hard to think about spending the rest of the semester back home.”
Dr. Johnson told NBC4 if everyone follows COVID-19 protocols of wearing a mask, washing their hands often and staying six feet apart, then the university should be able to remain open.
Here are the following positivity rates at Ohio State:
- Off campus 24-hour positivity rate: 9.66%
- On campus 24-hour positivity rate: 5.7%
- Student cumulative positivity rate: 3.13%
- Students 7-day average positivity rate: 4.3%
“There are a lot more house parties going on and stuff like that so it’s not surprising to me the numbers went up way more off campus,” said freshman Maddie Harris.