WACO, Texas – Baylor University leaders this past weekend took action following confirmation of an increase in COVID-19 cases on campus.

What You Need To Know

  • Baylor University reports increase in COVID-19 cases

  • Martin Hall now reporting 21 positive cases on third and fourth floors

  • Students instructed to remain on those floors for 4 days

  • University providing rapid COVID-19 testing and contact tracing 

Specifically, the uptick was reported on the third and fourth floors of the university’s Martin Hall dormitory. An increase of five cases has brought the total on those floors to 21.

In the letter that was posted online on Saturday, the university said students living on the third and fourth floors have been notified they are to reside in place and not leave their respective floors for a period of four days.

In addition, the letter states, students living on the first and second floors have been instructed not to visit the floors above for any reason. Students must contact Baylor Health Services Monday morning in order to schedule a COVID-19 test.

Officials said that students residing in place will give them time to compete contact tracing, administer daily rapid COVID-19 testing, and assess any student, staff or faculty member who is exhibiting virus symptoms.

These steps, administrators said, will allow them to formulate a plan with the hopes that stricter quarantine measures can be avoided.

Students were additionally asked to be vigilant about wearing face masks, maintain social distancing, sanitize hands frequently, and report any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

Baylor is hardly the only institute of higher learning in the U.S. dealing with an increase in COVID-19 cases. CNN on Sunday reported at least 36 states have reported positive cases at colleges and universities, adding roughly 8,700 cases to the country’s tally.