Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

January 8, 2021

Participation in Fraternity and Sorority Activities and the Spread of COVID-19 Among Residential University Communities — Arkansas, August 21–September 5, 2020

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Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 increased rapidly at an Arkansas university within two weeks of the start of the 2020-2021 academic year, likely facilitated by on- and off-campus congregate living settings and activities. Just 5% of the 965 people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 at the university attended classes in person, and less than 1% of the positive cases were among faculty or staff, suggesting that transmission likely occurred primarily outside the classroom. A network analysis identified 54 gatherings, 91% of which were associated with fraternities or sororities.

Vang et al. (Jan 8, 2021). Participation in Fraternity and Sorority Activities and the Spread of COVID-19 Among Residential University Communities — Arkansas, August 21–September 5, 2020. MMWR. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7001a5