UNC Chapel Hill reports coronavirus cluster at Sigma Nu fraternity house

Health officials have identified a third coronavirus outbreak at the Chapel Hill campus of the University of North Carolina.

A day after warnings were sent out to students about two clusters in on-campus dorms — one at Granville Towers and one at the Ehringhaus Community Granville Towers and the Ehringhaus Community — school officials said Saturday that a third has been identified at the Sigma Nu fraternity house.

UNC did not reveal how many students have tested positive, but North Carolina identifies a “cluster” as at least five cases.

“The individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring,” the school said in a statement. “We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures.”

Earlier this month, UNC Chapel Hill had warned students in fraternities and sororities to stop the “large gatherings” that had been witnessed since returning to campus.

“This is extremely disappointing as it puts your well-being and the health and welfare of our community – fellow students, faculty, University staff and thousands of our neighbors – at unnecessary and great risk,” Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Provost Robert A. Blouin and Amy Johnson, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, said in a joint statement.

“Aside from public condemnation, these reckless actions impugn the integrity of the UNC fraternity and sorority system and call into question your collective ability to self-govern the behaviors of your members.”

Officials warned that anyone not following coronavirus protocols are subject to “restrictions on access to the campus and potential disenrollment.” Student organizations that do not comply face loss of funding and access to University resources and facilities.

Anyone experiencing symptoms, including fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, is asked to immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119).

At least 149 students and 40 employees at UNC Chapel Hill have tested positive for coronavirus so far.