TAMPA — The University of South Florida has seen a decrease in COVID-19 cases as the fall semester ended.
School officials say the university transitioned to fully remote learning after the Thanksgiving break and urged students not to return to campus. Less density on campus meant less opportunity for virus exposure.
Upon returning in January, everyone will have to complete a COVID-19 assessment before the start of the semester on January 11.
Anyone going to campus must fill out a daily USF symptom check.
USF will continue doing random testing and environment sampling as part of ongoing virus surveillance.
Faculty and staff who can work at home, will be encouraged to continue to do so in the spring. Public health measures will still be enforced.
At the University of Tampa, the school also saw fewer COVID-19 cases as the fall semester wrapped up.
UT officials say that’s because they went to fully remote learning after Thanksgiving break.
Leaders also strongly urged students to lay low for a couple of weeks before going home for the break.
They tell us they believe this messaging campaign worked and caused students to be more mindful of their behaviors.
For the spring semester, face masks will continue to be mandatory on campus.
Students and staff will be asked to complete a daily COVID-19 self-assessment.
UT will still provide hands free temperature screening kiosks across campus.