It appears Bradley University's new post-quarantine restrictions on student activities have taken a big bite out of COVID-19's spread on campus.
The one-week positivity rate for the week ending Oct. 1 is just 1.9%. That's the lowest positivity rate reported since in-person classes resumed on campus in mid-August. For the week of Aug. 28-Sept. 3, the rate was 8.3%.
The university imposed a two-week, all-student quarantine last month to "reset" after a spike in COVID cases. That quarantine was lifted on Sept. 23, but restrictions on outings to bars and restaurants remain in place. The university has cited, fined, or otherwise disciplined non-compliant students.
University President Steve Standifird announced he is lifting some additional restrictions on Friday. They include allowing eating at on-campus dining halls in-person while socially distanced, reserving time in the library, socializing one-on-one in student residences with guests, socializing in groups of four or fewer outdoors on-campus while masked, and allowing certain student organization events, after approval.
Barring any new spikes in cases, Bradley is set to continue in-person classes through Thanksgiving, then finish out the semester remotely.
Standifird announced on Wednesday that the spring 2021 semester will look similar to the fall semester, with both face-to-face and hybrid learning options.
Faculty will still have the option to teach remotely, if they choose. Students also can request a fully virtual spring 2021 semester.
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