Coronavirus outbreak at K-State fraternity has 13 cases, Riley County officials say
A Kansas State University fraternity house has been identified as a coronavirus cluster.
The Phi Delta Theta fraternity in Manhattan has had 13 fraternity members test positive for COVID-19, the Riley County Health Department said Tuesday in a news release. The health department has shared information with both the fraternity and Greek life officials at K-State.
“Fraternity members and managers have been instructed to follow procedures for outbreaks in group living quarters,” health department officials said. “These procedures include deep cleaning and disinfection as well as quarantine for anyone who had been in close contact with positive patients. Close contact is defined as more than 10 minutes of time spent less than 6 feet apart.”
The fall academic term started Monday.
“After our first day of classes, we’re pleased to report that most students adhered to our requirements for face coverings and physical distancing in our classrooms,” university administrators said in a news release earlier on Tuesday. “Thank you for this. As we monitor the behaviors in our communities, however, we’ve already seen many examples of those who will not follow these simple practices to protect everyone.”
The KSU officials urged personal responsibility. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to wear face masks or other coverings while on campus in all hallways, public spaces, classrooms and other common areas of campus buildings.
“Just yesterday we saw an example of a major university that reopened, only to shut down after one week due to emerging COVID-19 outbreaks,” the statement read. “This can happen to us if we fail to follow the simple rules of wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distancing. We ask that you follow these practices in the classroom, when walking outside on campus and off campus. The COVID-19 virus does not stop at the classroom door or the campus boundary. This is an uncomfortable truth in the time we live in.”
K-State Athletics received permission from Riley County health officials on Monday to permit fans at home football games. The limit will be at around 25% of capacity.
“I guess we’ll know in another week or two if we have a spike in our positive cases,” Manhattan Mayor Usha Reddi told the Kansas City Star on Monday. “I would assume we will.”
The health department also announced a cluster at the Blue Valley USD 384 District Office in Randolph. Staff members and school board members have tested positive. Six of the seven patients are Riley County residents.
“Because we can isolate locations where staff have been, we can deep clean those areas,” Blue Valley Superintendent John Cox said in a statement. “We will continue to have athletic practices as long as it is safe to do so. Coaches are asked to continue with the safety protocols and procedures they have been using.”
Classes have not started yet at USD 384.
This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Coronavirus outbreak at K-State fraternity has 13 cases, Riley County officials say."