Early coronavirus testing results of University of Arizona students living off campus have been encouraging, leaders say, after only one student out of over 1,200 was deemed positive.
This student was moved to one of the 379 isolation beds set up in the UAs isolation dorm. Theyll be in quarantine at least 10 days before joining the campus population.
President Robert C. Robbins said Thursday the administration is highly encouraged by those testing results as well as the confirmed coronavirus statistics being reported daily.
Im hoping the seven-day average and R naught value stays low because we need it as low as we possibly can, because invariably theres going to be a spike and there may be many spikes over the course of the semester, Robbins said. The key is of course we hope that well be able to have the capacity to test as many people as possible, do the contact tracing and isolate those individuals to keep them out of the general population.
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The R naught metric measures the average number of people an infected person infects, and the goal is to be below 1, officials say. Arizona is currently at .83.
On Friday, the UA will start welcoming back more than 5,000 students assigned to their campus dormitories. In-person classes begin for a select number of courses Aug. 24. The school plans to ramp up the number of students on campus over the following weeks.
Those students will undergo mandatory testing before moving in, according to the UA.
Robbins said the administration is confident those tests will identify asymptomatic individuals who could transmit the virus from initially being allowed with the campus population.
However, the main concerns from leadership is with the compliance of thousands of students to the safety guidelines, which could lead to the university moving online-only if not followed.
Robbins added that theres individuals, staff, faculty or even contract workers who may be on campus, but they cant keep track of what people do away from campus.
My biggest concern is what happens off campus when people go to parties, but not just parties, they can go visit their families, Robbins said. Lets say theres an individual whose family lives in Phoenix, they go home for the weekend and theres a big family gathering, we know that these can be events that cause high transmissibility.
Part of that compliance includes faculty members having to report that mask noncompliance if a student or staff member fails to use a mask. The UA will provide two face coverings for free for students, faculty and staff.
The UA said in a directive Aug. 10 that, Instructors are expected to ensure compliance with the face covering directive and other public health protocols in their learning spaces. The requirement that students wear a face covering in classrooms should be reinforced by each instructor in their course syllabus and articulated at the first class.
This may include asking students to leave the spaces in and have the student work online if noncompliant. Instructors may even cancel the class or activity due to a non-compliant student or request support from the University of Arizona Police Department to remove the student, UA said.
A student with repeated non-compliance may be issued a written warning noting that further disruption will lead to a Code of Conduct violation. This will prohibit a return to the classroom before a meeting with the Dean of Students Office.
Robbins said the safety directive to wear masks on campus is to promote a fair and just culture.
Robbins did acknowledge there are some who wont believe in masks but believes itll be a smaller number of these individuals rejecting the measures.
Meanwhile, the administration has already been alerted to some who havent been heeding the safety measures.
Ive heard early on reports from some of our fraternity houses that people are moving in and theyre not physically distancing and their not covering their face, so I think Dr. (Richard) Carmonas team is going to have a chat with our sororities and our fraternities, Robbins said, about the team overseeing the UAs reentry plan.
Photos: Vice President Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖, Mesa in August
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence shakes hands with Arizona Police Association President Justin Harris at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020. The APA formerly gave the Vice President their endorsement for President Donald J. Trump's re-election during the event.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb speaks before Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
President Donald Trump supporters take photos in front of a monitor before Vice President Mike Pence took the stage at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey speaks ahead of Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Senator Martha McSally speaks ahead of Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Senator Martha McSally speaks ahead of Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier listens to a constituent while waiting for the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence arrives at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence arrives for a "Cops for Trump" event Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in 做厙勛圖, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Photo by Josh Galemore / 做厙勛圖
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
A Donald Trump supporter waits for Vice President Mike Pence to take the stage at the Cops for Trump event held at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa located at 3800 E Sunrise Drive in 做厙勛圖, on Aug. 11, 2020.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Vice President Mike Pence gives a thumbs up after speaking at a "Cops for Trump" event Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in 做厙勛圖, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Photo by Josh Galemore / 做厙勛圖
Mike Pence in Mesa
Vice President Mike Pence speaks to supporters at a "Latter-day Saints for Trump" campaign event in Mesa, Ariz. August 11, 2020. It was his second stop in the battle ground state after visiting 做厙勛圖 earlier in the day.
Mike Pence in Mesa
Vice President Mike Pence is greeted by Ariz. Gov. Doug Ducey before speaking to supporters at a "Latter-day Saints for Trump" campaign event in Mesa, Ariz. August 11, 2020. It was his second stop in the battle ground state after visiting 做厙勛圖 earlier in the day.
Mike Pence in Mesa
Vice President Mike Pence speaks to supporters at a "Latter-day Saints for Trump" campaign event in Mesa, Ariz. August 11, 2020. It was his second stop in the battle ground state after visiting 做厙勛圖 earlier in the day.
Mike Pence in Mesa
Vice President Mike Pence signs a hat for a supporter at a "Latter-day Saints for Trump" campaign event in Mesa, Ariz. August 11, 2020. It was his second stop in the battle ground state after visiting 做厙勛圖 earlier in the day.
Mike Pence in Mesa
Vice President Mike Pence speaks to supporters at a "Latter-day Saints for Trump" campaign event in Mesa, Ariz. August 11, 2020. It was his second stop in the battle ground state after visiting 做厙勛圖 earlier in the day.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Donald Trump supporter Jackie Harms holds two flags as Vice President Mike Pence drives by on E. Sunrise Dr., in 做厙勛圖, Ariz. on August 10, 2020. Vice President Mike Pence spoke at a "Cops for Trump" campaign stop at Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
A Donald Trump supporter holds a flag while waiting for Vice President Mike Pence to drive by on E. Sunrise Dr., in 做厙勛圖, Ariz. on August 10, 2020. Vice President Mike Pence spoke at a "Cops for Trump" campaign stop at Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Donald Trump supporter Donald K. Trujillo holds a sign asking for Vice President Mike Pence's autograph while waiting or VP Pence to drive by on E. Sunrise Dr., in 做厙勛圖, Ariz. on August 10, 2020. Vice President Mike Pence spoke at a "Cops for Trump" campaign stop at Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
Johnathan Aziz, 7, stands under a Donald Trump flag while waiting for Vice President Mike Pence to drive by on E. Sunrise Dr., in 做厙勛圖, Ariz. on August 10, 2020. Vice President Mike Pence spoke at a "Cops for Trump" campaign stop at Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa.
Mike Pence in 做厙勛圖
A Donald Trump supporter holds a flag in support of police officers while waiting for Vice President Mike Pence to drive by on E. Sunrise Dr., in 做厙勛圖, Ariz. on August 10, 2020. Vice President Mike Pence spoke at a "Cops for Trump" campaign stop at Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa.

