UNC Charlotte reports its first COVID-19 cluster among students

Eight UNC Charlotte students who live off-campus tested positive for coronavirus, the university reported Tuesday.

It appears to be the first COVID-19 “cluster” since many students moved back to Charlotte for an in-person return to class, but officials later postponed the potential for in-person learning to Oct. 1.

The students were living in two private residences, the university said in a campus update statement, adding that they isolated and have since recovered. UNCC officials did not say when the students were diagnosed.

Classes begin on Sept. 7, but students will not return to the campus for in-person instruction until Oct. 1.

UNCC’s decision to delay in-person instruction came after UNC Chapel Hill opened for mostly in-person classes in August, only to revert to online-only instruction after COVID-19 outbreaks.

UNCC was one of the few higher education institutions that pushed its original start date back due to coronavirus concerns. Chancellor Sharon Gaber said in an earlier interview with the Observer that the late start would give UNCC a chance to learn from other schools that opened earlier.

In an online message, Gaber said the delay would allow the spread of COVID-19 in Mecklenburg County to stabilize before bringing students back to campus.

As of Tuesday, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the county has seen 25,558 total confirmed cases since mid-March and 295 related deaths from coronavirus. The average number of new cases per day locally over the last two weeks is 160. That figure has been generally declining since late July.

“The decision to adjust our plan was not made lightly,” Gaber said. “I recognize that these changes will be frustrating for some and a relief for others. However, this decision is made with the health and well-being of our students and employees as our top priorities.”

The university said it would notify the community about any clusters, defined as five or more cases deemed in close proximity, involving employees and students. However, UNCC said it would not communicate about individual cases, and that those who need to know about individual cases would be notified during the contact tracing process.