Coronavirus: Mississippi infections linked to fraternity parties

University confirms 162 athletes have tested positive for Covid-19

A rise in coronavirus cases in Mississippi is linked to fraternity parties that have broken social distancing measures, according to a state health official.

Fraternity rush parties, involving both current and prospective members, have continued to take place in the state this summer, and health officials believe this has led to an increase in Covid-19 cases, according to CNN.

Mississippi State Health Officer Dr Thomas Dobbs announced on Thursday that there had been 381 new coronavirus cases and five deaths in the state.

He added that hospitals are under strain from the rise in cases, and confirmed that there are currently 465 people in hospital due to the virus, with 159 in intensive care and 100 on ventilators, according to the outlet.

At a press conference on Thursday, Dr Dobbs confirmed that the state had “identified a cluster of cases and outbreaks in Oxford, Mississippi,” where the state’s largest university is based.

Dr Dobbs said that reports have suggested that fraternities have held rush parties with large groups, breaking the state’s social distancing guidelines.

The official added that the new cases that the state have identified, seem to be “related to community transmission and social gatherings.”

Since 1 June, residents of the state have been allowed to gather in groups of no more than 20 people inside and no more than 50 outside, according to governor Tate Reeve’s executive order.

However, the university confirmed that 162 of their student athletes have tested positive for the virus, according to the Clarion Ledger.

Nine other athletes are now in quarantine, after coming into contact with those that tested positive for the virus.

The university has now warned fraternities that they will be put on social probation if they continue to host parties that break the state’s guidelines.

Dr Dobbs added: “Please everyone follow the rules and be careful. The things that we can do to prevent transmission are so very easy.”

The figures for Mississippi rose again on Friday, as the state reported 483 new positive cases and 23 more deaths, taking the total cases to 18,483 and fatalities to 868.

According to a tracking project hosted by Johns Hopkins University, there are now more than 2.1 million people who have tested positive for coronavirus in the US. The death toll has reached at least 118,519.