University of Alabama reports 531 virus cases since last week as Tuscaloosa closes bars

The mayor of Tuscaloosa announced Monday that the city is closing bars for the next two weeks after University of Alabama officials described an "unacceptable" rise in COVID-19 cases that could derail plans to continue the semester on campus. According to the school's COVID-19 dashboard, there were 531 cases of the virus reported since August 19.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox announced the closures along with the end of bar service at restaurants during a news conference with campus officials. Maddox said university officials requested the action. Maddox said an unchecked spread of the virus threatens both the health care system and the local economy if students are sent home for the semester to do remote learning.

"The truth is that fall in Tuscaloosa is in serious jeopardy," Maddox said.

The university did not immediately release case numbers, but school officials said there has been a rapid rise in cases, particularly among fraternities and sororities. The university on Friday had announced a moratorium on student gatherings both on and off campus.

"Although our initial re-entry test was encouraging, the rise in COVID cases that we've seen in recent days is unacceptable and if unchecked threatens our ability to complete the semester on campus," University of Alabama President Stuart Bell said at the news conference.

The university had earlier announced that initial results from a testing program found that few students returning to campus were positive for COVID-19. Dr. Ricky Friend, dean of college of community health sciences, said subsequent testing last week has found more cases.

"During that time, we encountered many students who have been exposed since returning to campus, particularly in the Greek system," Friend said.

While the daily average of new COVID-19 cases has been trending downward statewide, school officials have expressed concern about images of large crowds waiting outside off-campus bars. Last week, University of Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne tweeted a photo that showed dozens of people, many not wearing face masks or staying away from others, waiting to get in a popular bar.

"Who wants college sports this fall?? Obviously not these people!! We've got to do better than this for each other and our campus community. Please wear your masks!" Byrne wrote.

The university on Friday announced a 14-day moratorium on all in-person student events outside of classroom instruction. Social gatherings are prohibited both on and off campus and the common areas of dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses are closed, according to the new guidelines. Visitors are not being allowed in dormitories and sorority and fraternity houses.

Bell wrote that violations of health and safety protocols, both on and off campus, are subject to harsh disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from the university.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey praised the mayor and university officials for acting swiftly.

"They have made tough decisions, and I appreciate Mayor Walt Maddox and The University of Alabama leadership for tackling a serious problem as quickly as possible," Ivey said.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the number cases at the University of Alabama. There are 531, not 566 – the larger number includes cases throughout the system. 

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• COVID-19