SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Despite carefully measured protocols for distance learning and on-campus housing, San Diego State University is continuing to see new cases of coronavirus among students.
SDSU ended its first week of the fall semester Friday announcing three new cases of COVID-19. Since the start of the 2020-21 school year, SDSU has reported seven positive cases.
The unidentified students all live off-campus and were only on campus to seek testing at the Student Health Services Outdoor COVID-19 Test Collection Booth, university officials said. The three students did not interact with any SDSU employees or spaces outside of the SHS, according to officials.
"We have quickly identified and are speaking with the individuals known to have been in direct contact with these students. All are following established public health protocols for isolation and quarantine, and exposure risk to others on campus is deemed low," said Libby Skiles, Ed.D., SDSU Student Health Services Director.
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Officials said that two of the three students are connected to one of the student cases confirmed Thursday. The third new case is linked to another case confirmed Wednesday.
"It is important to clarify that the three cases [confirmed Friday], together, are not all connected," said Skiles. "Further, due to their connection to previously reported positive cases, all of these individuals were already quarantining in compliance with public health guidelines."
The campus opened this week to strict safety guidelines and almost all online classes in their effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The campus slashed available on-campus dorms to less than 50%, fraternities imposed their own bans on social events, and fall sports were postponed.
San Diego State: Two students test positive for COVID-19; Risk to campus 'low'
However, the campus isn't completely closed to students. In addition to the 2,600 students living on-campus, hundreds more students are likely to visit the campus for certain matters over the course of the semester.
According to a university spokesperson, officials have administered 171 COVID-19 tests between Aug. 11 and Aug. 27, and have confirmed 7 positive tests.
Since the start of fall 2020 classes, on August 24, the average number of tests administered per day is 36, according to the spokesperson.