There are have been 531 new positive coronavirus cases among students, faculty and staff at the University of Alabama reported since last Wednesday, according to data shared on the UA System's new COVID-19 Dashboard. 

According to the website, the new figure only represents positive tests found through sentinel testing, point of care testing at campus health centers and self-reported tests from private providers in the area.

Entry testing was not included in the numbers shared Wednesday. For its Tuscaloosa campus, the University tested around 30,000 students, faculty and staff and only 310 tested positive before classes resumed on campus Wednesday.

University President Stuart Bell says cases have risen at an unacceptable rate since then, particularly in the school's Greek system.

The sharp increase in the last week led Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox to issue an executive order Monday closing all city bars for two weeks and ending bar service at restaurants for the same time period.

The Dashboard shows 566 cumulative cases in the UA System in that period, including 6 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, 8 at University of Alabama in Huntsville and 21 among UAB Clinical Enterprise Employees.

 

Stay tuned to the Tuscaloosa Thread for updates from the University and the city as they become available.

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