Hundreds more at ASU test positive

Arizona State University officials announced late Friday that the number of students and faculty members with confirmed cases of COVID-19 nearly tripled in a matter of days.

ASU quietly released the updated numbers late Friday night, reporting 480 known positive COVID-19 cases across its four campuses out of nearly 37,149 people who either have been tested at the university or submitted test results.

Data released Tuesday reported 161 cases, indicating an increase of 319 cases over three days.

Officials said there were 452 positive cases out of the approximately 74,500-person student body in addition to 28 positive cases out of the 12,400 faculty and staff members.

More than half of the positive cases reside off-campus within the Phoenix area. Officials said 205 of the approximately 9,600 students living on the Tempe campus were in isolation on Friday.

The university previously refrained from disclosing the number of cases on campus or among its students and employees, nor the locations of any cases or exposures, to the general public, citing “privacy issues.”

The increase comes after reports of numerous off-campus parties and large unmasked groups. Tempe police cited nine parties over the first weekend, including six that were confirmed to be ASU related. Earlier this week, ASU President Michael Crow announced that students involved in any large social gatherings — both on and off-campus — could face suspension.

Face coverings or masks are also required inside all ASU buildings and outdoors on campus at all times.