17 St. Olaf students suspended after off-campus party with COVID-19 positive student

Several St. Olaf College students have been suspended following an off-campus party where masks were not worn, social-distancing was not observed and at least one person was infected with COVID-19.

According to a release from the college, Thursday was the first day of class for the fall semester where in-person classes are occurring. The plan at St. Olaf is to continue in-person classes and finish the semester by Thanksgiving.

The release states that 3,459 tests were administered to students, faculty and staff as they opened campus. Results for 3,055 of the tests have been received and eight students, or 0.3% of the tests, have been positive. Additionally, 50 students need to quarantine due to a lack of social distancing.

Much of the need for the quarantining comes from an off-campus party that many of the quarantining students attended the week before moving back to campus housing, the college said. According to the release, too many people congregated in the space, masks were not worn and physical distancing was not observed. At least one person at the party was infected and exposed other students.

A total of 17 students have been suspended for the fall semester for participating in the party.