UW-L orders all residence halls to shelter in place, in-person classes suspended two weeks

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse announced Sunday it is increasing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 on campus.

Three days after ordering a “shelter in place” on one of its dorms, the university has now ordered all dorms to do so. The order begins at 5 p.m. Sunday and runs until 5 p.m. Sept. 27.

In-person classes are suspended until Wednesday, and will move to virtual learning until Sept. 28.

The UW-L COVID-19 dashboard shows 98 of its 140 isolation spaces already filled.

“The University may not have enough (isolation) space available and residents remaining in
the halls must weigh their own risks,” UW-L said in a statement.

There have been 275 positive COVID-19 tests on campus over five days, including 105 on Thursday.

Overall, the positive test rate on campus from 965 tests is 28.5%. The positive test rate has gone from 6.52% from 184 tests Tuesday to 71.6% from 102 tests the past two days.

The positive tests are from both PCR and antigen tests, while the state and local health reports only PCR, as it is the most accurate. Those testing positive with an antigen tests will likely be sent to get a PCR test, according to the La Crosse County health department.

According to state data, La Crosse County has another 129 new COVID-19 cases Sunday. Statewide, Wisconsin set a single-day high with 1,582 cases, beating the previous high from Thursday of 1,547.

The state has now gone four consecutive days with over a thousand cases. The state had never gone two days in a row with that many before.

Other changes on UW-L’s campus include:
— Everyone wear face coverings indoors and outdoors while on campus.
— Dining services move to carry-out only.
— The REC (workout facility) convert to virtual/remote programming.
— Student Health Center open only for urgent care and by appointment.
— In-person study at Murphy Library, student union and other academic buildings are closed.
— Campus child center will remain open at this time.