5 positive COVID-19 cases detected in the first week of classes
As of Monday morning, the university reported five positive cases of COVID-19 in the first week back on campus.
Two unvaccinated individuals tested positive for COVID-19 within the first week of classes.
August 27, 2021
Morgan State University reported five positive COVID-19 cases on campus within the first week of classes.
On Thursday afternoon, President David Wilson stated two of the individuals were unvaccinated and exempt from the vaccine requirement due to medical and religious reasons.
“Based on my conversation with Dr Banks, both of those [positives] were for unvaccinated people, individuals who had gotten the exemption,” Wilson said.
Students that received vaccine exemptions are required to participate in the university’s COVID-19 testing protocol twice a week. Although unvaccinated students are required to get tested each week, fully vaccinated students are encouraged to get tested as well.
According to Wilson’s updated COVID-19 testing results announcement, about 527 individuals were tested on campus between Aug. 23 and 26. Of the individuals that were tested, none of the positives were fully vaccinated.
Wilson said, “The takeaway today is that based on the testing results, we have not seen on the Morgan campus, a positive test result from any fully vaccinated student from the information we have today, thus far.”
There were seven positive cases detected this week through an off-campus testing site and reported it to the university health center.
Students who have tested positive with on or off campus testing are encouraged to notify their professor and others who have come within 3-6 feet of them for 15 or more minutes, according to Kevin Banks, vice president of student affairs.
“If a student discloses that they have tested positive, then the professor should direct them to contact the student health center,” Banks said.
On-campus COVID-19 testing is open to all individuals on campus. Testing takes place on Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. in the University Student Center. To schedule a COVID-19 test, visit the university health portal.
This story was updated on Aug. 30. Trae Mitchell contributed to this article.
Bianca • Aug 28, 2021 at 9:37 am
Again, Morgan State Administration especially Dr. Wilson try to sugarcoat the the truth here at Morgan. Morgan has seen both vaccinated and unvaccinated students test positive and has these individuals quaranting among us in the residential halls. At present there are 4 students in quarantine in Thurgood Marshall while others in the community live among them. They ever had RAs quarantining on the same floor as residents. It is weird how only 175 students tested when there is nearly 3000 in university managed housing. Why is it not a requirement for every student living on campus to get tested? Vaccinated individuals are just as much at risk. They had multiple Welcome Back gatherings and nobody felt inclined to mandate testing. Maybe Morgan needs to follow the approach of HBCU leaders like XULA who has disenrolled unvaccinated students, but that seems like too much like common sense. Morgan is sadly driven by the almighty dollar. Dr. Wilson and senior administration in this pandemic have lacked honesty and transparency which shows me they lack Integrity. Is that not one of our CORE values here at the National Treasure?
Concerned Parent • Aug 27, 2021 at 3:57 pm
Where’s the part about the students being required to quarantine? Did you leave that of the article? Also, why does the university leave it up to the student to disclose the positive test results to the professors? The university should inform the professor who in turn should notify the students. What contact tracing protocols does MSU have in place? With the current housing issue where is the university housing COVID positive students? I would like to see a follow-up article with this information.