University of Alabama reports more than 500 COVID-19 cases since classes resumed

The University of Alabama has reported 531 coronavirus cases on campus since starting classes on Aug. 19, according to the university system’s COVID-19 dashboard.

The data on the dashboard reflects on-campus testing results and self-reported private lab results. It does not include the entry testing the school conducted before classes started. 

According to a local ABC affiliate, University of Alabama President Stuart Bell called the rise in COVID-19 “unacceptable” since the school has guidelines in place to avoid gatherings such as parties.

The school of more than 38,000 students is located in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where Mayor Walt Maddox (D) ordered bars and restaurants with bar service to close for two weeks following a surge in cases. 

“My hope is that this will be just a brief pause on their plans to reopen and that we can get this in our rearview mirror sooner, rather than later. Clearly, it takes everyone working together to keep Alabama moving in the right direction,” Maddox said at a press conference.

Several universities have seen surges in coronavirus cases since reopening. The University of Notre Dame and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill both moved classes online following spikes in COVID-19 cases among students.