UNC

The Daily Tarheel:

Updated 2:48 p.m.: The University reported another COVID-19 cluster in the Hinton James Residence Hall at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday via Alert Carolina. This is the fourth cluster reported in the past three days.

Two have already been reported at Ehringhaus Residence Hall and Granville Towers, and a third at the Sigma Nu fraternity.

According to the Alert Carolina, those in the cluster are already isolating and being monitored. The University is working with the Orange County Health Department to identify other potential exposures.

Updated 7:15 p.m.: Carolina Housing and Granville Towers sent emails notifying the affected communities of the identified COVID-19 clusters in their residence halls. These residents were not involved in the contact tracing already initiated by the University.

"At this time, you do not need to take any action," the emails stated. "The University has initiated its contact tracing protocol to identify who may have been in close contact with a positive individual."

The messages reminded residents to follow proper safety guidelines and monitor themselves daily for symptoms using the COVID-19 Screening Checklist.

"This news might be unsettling, but please know the testing and tracing protocols are in place to help minimize the spread of the disease," the emails stated. "As a reminder, traditional cleaning protocols have been enhanced to include cleaning/disinfection of “high touch” areas (elevator buttons, exterior door handles, etc.), common areas (laundry rooms, lounges, kitchens, etc.) and restrooms throughout each day."

Updated 3:30 p.m.: Associate Vice Chancellor for University Communications Beth Keith told The Daily Tar Heel that students living in the affected communities were notified this afternoon through emails from Carolina Housing and the Alert Carolina message.

Keith said the University will not share the number of cases in each cluster.

"Due to FERPA, we're not able to share specific numbers," Keith said.

When asked if the case numbers were reflected in UNC's COVID-19 dashboard, Keith said "the dashboard will be updated each Monday."

Updated 3 p.m.: UNC confirmed the clusters in an Alert Carolina sent Friday.

A cluster is defined as five or more cases that are deemed "close proximity in location," as defined by the North Carolina Department of Health had Human Services, according to the alert. UNC defines location as a single residence hall or dwelling.

"The individuals in these clusters have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures," the message stated.

UNC confirmed that contact tracing has been initiated. A close contact is defined as an individual who has been within six feet of an infected person without face coverings for more than 15 minutes.

"Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance," the message stated.

The University will not communicate details about individual cases, in accordance with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the message stated.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their medical provider, Campus Health or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic, the message stated.

Two clusters of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Ehringhaus Community and Granville Towers, according to an email sent to Carolina Housing student staff Friday.

In the email, obtained by The Daily Tar Heel, the Carolina Housing Residential Education Leadership Team said:
Contact tracing is occurring. Close contacts of those who are confirmed to test positive have been contacted by Campus Health.
Students who test positive are given the option to go into quarantine or isolation on campus or can choose to return home. "While there are some students currently residing Craige North and Parker, many are opting to leave campus to quarantine or isolate," the email states.
Students should refer to the University's COVID-19 dashboard, updated Friday at 9:20 am at the time of publication, for the most up to date information.

The email said the University is required to publicly report when a cluster of COVID-19 occurs in one location in a short period of time, and students will likely be notified of the clusters on Friday by Alert Carolina.

The director of the Orange County Health Department called for UNC to go fully remote for at least five weeks before school started, but a mixture of remote and in-person classes began at the University on Monday.

Representatives from University Media Relations did not respond immediately to a request for comment.