This message is sent on behalf of URI’s Division of Student Affairs and Health Services.

As part of its ongoing COVID-19 testing program, the University this week has identified two positive cases in one of its sororities and one positive case in a fraternity house on the Kingston Campus. The three students have been placed in isolation and, due to the nature of the shared facilities, members of both houses are in quarantine.

The 40 sorority residents were tested on Wednesday, and were placed in quarantine for 14 days. The 18 fraternity members living in their house are being notified and tested this evening, and will begin quarantine. Students may quarantine at the sorority or fraternity houses in their rooms or go home, if it is safe to do so. The University is conducting contact tracing and has notified and is working with the Rhode Island Department of Health.

The University maintains a daily dashboard of COVID-19 testing outcomes, and between Sept. 10 and 17, a total of 1,350 tests were administered with 41 positive cases, a 3% positivity rate.

Students who test positive are notified by Health Services, and informed they must isolate. Whenever possible, the University will request that students isolate and quarantine at home. When this is not possible, students with a housing contract may be moved into designated on-campus housing or contracted off-campus housing. Students living off-campus who are unable to go home will remain in their rental/leased space off campus, depending on individual circumstances.

The two metrics that are carefully monitored are the positivity rate and the number of University isolation/quarantine beds in use. At this time the University is comfortable that both metrics are below the benchmarks established in its Return to Campus plans filed with the Rhode Island Department of Health. University staff stay in close contact with those members of our community who are sick or in quarantine to ensure they are safe and properly cared for as they recover or complete their quarantine requirements.

As we continue to work together to protect the health and safety of our University, all community members are encouraged to commit to the #rhodytogether pledge. By adhering to the guidance of health professionals, we can address quickly the spread of this virus and keep our in-person interactions going until Thanksgiving.