Cases in University of Washington student outbreak top 200

SEATTLE — University of Washington COVID-19 cases among students in more than a dozen sororities and fraternities have topped 200.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 212 positive cases have been confirmed among 15 fraternities and sororities, spokesperson Victor Balta said on the school’s website.

That’s up from 179 cases as of Tuesday afternoon, and 131 cases on Friday.

According to the UW’s case tracking system, as of Oct. 6, 476 students, 63 staff and 10 faculty have tested positive since Feb. 27.

“The congregant living situation in the Greek community certainly presents a greater challenge and we will continue to work with them to respond effectively and try to limit the spread,” Balta told The Seattle Times.

Students who have tested positive or have COVID-like symptoms are being told to isolate in their current place of residence, according to the university. The university is not aware of any students who have been hospitalized or reported severe symptoms of the virus.

An outbreak in June infected 154 students in 15 fraternity houses at the university.