Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
In-Person College Openings And Rise In Covid Cases Linked: CDC Study
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: CDC Study: COVID-19 Leapt In Counties Where Colleges Held In-Person Classes
Residents of university towns including Athens have been wary of claims that campuses can bring thousands of students back for in-person classes without escalating the spread of COVID-19 in the surrounding area. Turns out that skepticism may be justified. A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis released today found counties with large universities experienced a 56% increase in COVID-19 when the campuses opened with in-person instruction. Conversely, counties with major universities that opened with remote learning showed a 17.9% decrease in incidences of COVID-19. (Downey, 1/7)
CIDRAP: In-Person Classes, Greek Life Tied To College COVID Outbreaks
Two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies published today in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report track COVID-19 spread on US college campuses, one showing that 101 counties with large universities offering in-person instruction saw a 56% jump in coronavirus cases after classes began, the other finding that 91% of gatherings at an Arkansas university were tied to fraternity and sorority activities. ... In contrast, counties with institutions that featured in-person instruction observed a 56.2% increase, while those without large colleges or universities witnessed a 5.9% decline in new cases. (Van Beusekom, 1/7)
CNN: In Counties Where University Classes Were In Person, Covid-19 Cases Rose 56%
The researchers found that counties where universities held in-person classes were more likely to be identified as Covid-19 "hotspots" at least once compared with those where universities held remote classes and those without universities. The study did not consider mitigation strategies -- such as mask-wearing and social distancing -- at the local level or on university campuses. It also was not clear whether Covid-19 cases in counties with universities were related to transmission on campuses or within the community. (Howard and Christensen, 1/7)
The Chronicle for Higher Education: As The Pandemic Worsens, Colleges Prepare To Test Their Spring Plans
Even as much has changed since the fall, higher education’s approach to the spring looks remarkably familiar. Many campuses that operated mostly online in August have opted to do so again. And many colleges that held in-person classes and housed students are planning to remain in person — knowing, however, that their carefully laid plans may end up going out the window. Even with the spring semester just weeks away for some, what it will look like remains up in the air. (Diep, 1/5)
In related news —
Wisconsin Public Radio: CDC: UW Antigen Tests Missed Nearly 59 Percent Of COVID-19 Cases Among Asymptomatic Individuals
Rapid COVID-19 tests used at nearly all University of Wisconsin System campuses missed 20 percent of positive cases among those showing symptoms, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For asymptomatic individuals, the tests missed nearly 59 percent of positives. In August, a month before the start of the 2020 fall semester, UW System Interim President Tommy Thompson announced the purchase of 350,000 COVID-19 antigen testing kits that would be used to screen students living in dormitories at all campuses except UW-Madison every other week. Quidel's antigen test, called the Sofia, wasn't designed for surveillance. Documentation provided by the company states they're intended to test people "within the first five days of the onset of symptoms." (Kremer, 1/7)
