daily californian logo

BERKELEY'S NEWS • MARCH 25, 2023

Welcome to the (March) Madness! Read more here

UC Berkeley experiences impact of new surge in COVID-19 cases

article image

AASHA TURNER | STAFF

UC Berkeley is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases among students, with 148 positive cases being recorded by University Health Services for the week of Jan. 24.

SUPPORT OUR NONPROFIT NEWSROOM

We're an independent student-run newspaper, and need your support to maintain our coverage.

|

Senior Staff News Reporter

FEBRUARY 01, 2021

With 148 positive cases being recorded by University Health Services for the week of Jan. 24, UC Berkeley is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases among students.

The surge is believed to be caused by small gatherings of students off-campus, according to campus spokesperson Janet Gilmore. Students living in residence halls have been instructed to sequester in their rooms beginning Monday through Feb. 8.

“Everyone needs to follow best safety practices and follow public health orders,” Gilmore said in an email. “Protecting our campus community and the broader community should be everyone’s goal.”

Gilmore stressed that even if members of a group are asymptomatic or have recently tested negative, it is still possible that the gathering is unsafe.

Many students have expressed anger toward those who are participating in prohibited gatherings. Campus sophomore Yulissa Oceguera Barragan pointed to freshmen as a group that has been violating COVID-19 restrictions.

“I believe that many first-year students came to Berkeley during this remote semester for the ‘college experience,’ ” Barragan said via Twitter message. “Unfortunately, partying and socializing with friends is seen as part of that experience.”

Some students have blamed the rise in COVID-19 cases on events hosted by Greek life.

Among those who believe alleged CalGreek gatherings have led to “super spreader” events is a student who lives off-campus and would like to remain anonymous due to privacy concerns.

“I was personally exposed to COVID-19 because my housemate decided to go to a frat party without telling me and then also failed to mask or quarantine after she went to the party,” the anonymous student said in an email.

According to Gilmore, campus has repeatedly emphasized to CalGreek organizations that all events must take place virtually rather than in person.

ASUC President Victoria Vera, however, said students should not place the blame solely on Greek life and instead should focus on collective action.

“I know a lot of people have anger towards Greek life right now,” Vera said. “I’m not going to say that’s misplaced in any way but the focus of the cause cannot solely be Greek life. We collectively need to combat COVID-19.”

People gathering in small groups is just as impactful as parties in terms of COVID-19 spread, according to Vera.

Vera also pointed out how the burden of COVID-19 is being placed on residential assistants, or RAs.

Barragan and Vera said RA personal safety has been endangered by students who fail to follow COVID-19 guidelines. They also argued that student workers such as RAs should be more of a priority for getting vaccinated by campus.

Gilmore expressed hope that the educational campaigns to the campus community will work to prevent gatherings and flatten the curve.

“Not gathering with others outside of your household is a public health order, in addition to the right thing to do,” Gilmore said in an email. “We will continue to work with the student community to encourage and support them in that effort.”

Contact Claire Daly at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at @DalyClaire13.
LAST UPDATED

FEBRUARY 01, 2021


Related Articles

featured article
Effective immediately, UC Berkeley is requiring all students living in residential halls to self-sequester through at least Feb. 8 as positive cases of COVID-19 among students continue to surge.
Effective immediately, UC Berkeley is requiring all students living in residential halls to self-sequester through at least Feb. 8 as positive cases of COVID-19 among students continue to surge.
featured article
featured article
After the week of Jan. 24 saw 147 confirmed COVID-19 cases as reported by University Health Services, UC Berkeley released an update urging students to avoid indoor gatherings.
After the week of Jan. 24 saw 147 confirmed COVID-19 cases as reported by University Health Services, UC Berkeley released an update urging students to avoid indoor gatherings.
featured article
featured article
UC Berkeley reported 55 new cases of COVID-19 among undergraduate students, as well as two new cases among graduate students, in a campuswide update Friday.
UC Berkeley reported 55 new cases of COVID-19 among undergraduate students, as well as two new cases among graduate students, in a campuswide update Friday.
featured article