Liberty University has more COVID-19 cases than 4 larger Virginia campuses combined
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Liberty University is reporting nearly three-and-a-half times the amount of active, student COVID-19 cases on campus than four other Virginia universities combined.
On Wednesday, Liberty University reported 488 active COVID-19 cases on campus. According to their COVID-19 dashboard, 430 of those cases are students. It's a big increase from last week when LU reported 159 total active cases.
RELATED: Hundreds of new COVID-19 cases reported this week at Liberty University
In just ten days, LU's dashboard says the university has had 535 students and employees test positive.
Here's how Liberty compares to other Virginia colleges on student COVID-19 cases:
- Liberty University: 430 active student cases as of Sept. 1.
- Virginia Tech: 35 students tested positive from Aug. 24 to Aug. 30.
- Virginia Commonwealth University: 29 active student cases as of Aug. 31.
- University of Virginia: 47 active students cases as of Aug. 31.
- James Madison University: 12 active student cases as of Aug. 29.
Liberty University also has the smallest on-campus student population compared to the four other universities.
- Liberty University: about 15,000 students live on-campus or in the Lynchburg metro area, according to LU spokesperson, Scott Lamb.
- Virginia Tech: about 37,000 students
- Virginia Commonwealth University: 29,417
- University of Virginia: 27,115
- James Madison University: 21,496
Another difference, all four of those universities require students to get the COVID-19 vaccine and wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. Liberty University doesn't require either.
RELATED: 'Nobody really wears a mask:' Liberty University's handling of COVID-19
Also on Wednesday, Liberty University announced they would hold a first-dose vaccine clinic this Friday, Sept. 3, at the Vines Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinic is for any Liberty University student, faculty, or staff member who has not yet been vaccinated. Registrations must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2.
ABC13 asked Liberty University spokesperson, Scott Lamb, for an interview. He declined.
On Thursday, Liberty University switched all residential classes online and suspended large indoor gatherings. In a statement, LU said those measures would remain in place through Sept. 10.
RELATED: Liberty University goes virtual, suspends large events as virus spreads
Days later, Lamb confirmed that the Annex dorm that Liberty University has been using as a quarantine for students was at full capacity. He said full capacity was 204 students.
Lamb said students who test positive for COVID-19 and have access to a bathroom directly connected to their dorm will be asked to quarantine in their dorms. Their roommates will also be asked to quarantine there as they have already been exposed to COVID-19, according to Lamb.
RELATED: Liberty University's quarantine annex at maximum capacity
In response to the cases on LU's campus, Gov. Ralph Northam's press secretary said over email, "Governor Northam is grateful to the colleges and universities across Virginia who have done the right thing and put commonsense COVID-19 protections in place. This virus is very real and very dangerous—and vaccines are the only way we can put this behind us once and for all."
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