Michigan State Will Set Aside A Dorm For Students Who Have Virus

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State University said it will take a residence hall out of regular service and use it for students who test positive for the coronavirus.

Students who live on campus can move to Akers Hall or return home for a certain period if they test positive. The dorm can hold roughly 500 people, said Kat Cooper, spokeswoman for Residential and Hospitality Services.

"As we watched cases rise around the country, we decided we needed more options for that available to us," Cooper told MLive.com.

The Akers strategy could create a housing shortage, although it's not seen as likely at this time, she said.

MSU students, staff and visitors are required to wear masks on campus.

"We know decisions to wear masks and maintain physical distancing can have a positive impact on the health of our students, colleagues, instructors, loved ones and friends," President Samuel Stanley Jr. told students in an email last week.

The fall term starts Sept. 2.

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