One.
That’s how many positive COVID-19 cases Quinnipiac University had on Oct. 1.
Just 42 days later, that number has risen to 422. Of those, 247 are from Nov. 4-10, and 80 are from Monday and Tuesday alone.
According to Quinnipiac’s COVID-19 dashboard, the university has 321 students in isolation, and its current risk level is at red. All campus activities have been restricted, and all university classes are online.
A week before the infamous “Halloweekend,” Quinnipiac faculty and administration sent out numerous messages to students urging them to skip parties that weekend. With only three weeks until students went home for the holidays, the university’s future ultimately depended on that one weekend.
Despite warnings and the urgency that faculty and administration expressed, Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven held a party with roughly 500 students, including some from Quinnipiac. Since then, the university has not recovered as cases increased by the day and ultimately, the school went to risk level red this past weekend. Students were given the choice to either quarantine in their dorms for the last two weeks until winter break or go home.
Connecticut, like Quinnipiac, is experiencing a significant spike of its own. The state has a total of 84,741 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 1,754 as of Nov. 11. According to Connecticut’s COVID-19 portal, COVID-19 related hospitalizations are up to 584, and associated deaths are up to 4,716.
The last 42 days dramatically changed the outlook for Quinnipiac and Connecticut. If the trend continues, the next 42 days will result in a COVID-19 filled holiday season.