UNCW reports three clusters, 18 Covid-19 cases among student-athletes [Free]

WILMINGTON — UNCW announced Monday that 18 cases of Covid-19 have been identified, “involving the UNCW women’s basketball, softball and men’s soccer teams.” 

The 18 cases are said to be connected to three different “clusters,” which the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services defines as groups of five or more cases linked in proximity and time frame. While it was unclear in UNCW’s press release, a University spokesperson confirmed that all 18 recently-diagnosed students were student-athletes.

The announcement came at a time when UNCW’s daily case totals have been dwindling. In three of the last four days, the university reported four or fewer cases of Covid-19 in its community. On Sept. 21, there were 21 reported cases; the weekly average has been declining since then. 

“We’ve gone up to almost 40 (cases) already on a given day, so 10 would be terrific if we could maintain 10 per day instead of 35, 40, 45, etcetera,” Chancellor Jose Sartarelli said on a Zoom call with faculty last month. 

In an interview with the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, he said he would prefer that number be either zero cases or one case per day. 

Since the onset of the fall semester, UNCW has taken a number of measures to optimize its chances of finishing the fall semester without having to seriously alter its campus operations. 

The university asked freshmen students living in double occupancy rooms to figure out which of the two would remain in the dorm, and which would relocate. The decision affected hundreds of students, and at least 350 of those freshmen ended up moving home. 

Faculty were caught off guard by the decision, which was brainstormed and implemented without their knowledge. 

In New Hanover County, the 18-24 year old age group accounts for a higher percentage of cases than the 25-49 year old age group. 

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has taken an interest in the university’s state of affairs. According to New Hanover County staff emails, state-level health officials set up a meeting with N.C. DHHS, UNCW, and the New Hanover County Health Department, but the meeting was rescheduled. It’s unclear whether or not the meeting has since taken place.