Binghamton University COVID-19 cases rising: How numbers compare to other SUNY schools (2024)

BINGHAMTON — Restrictions limiting social gatherings and cancellations of many non-virtual campus activities and events have failed to reduce the COVID-19 case count at Binghamton University in recent weeks, according to a New York State dashboard that tracks the virus spread.

Students getting together without face masks is responsible for the upward trend in cases, a Binghamton University spokesman said.

On Feb. 22, the university issued new health and safety guidance, which it said were designed to “reverse the upward trend of positive cases” and avoid reaching the 5% “threshold where (Binghamton) will be required to move to fully remote learning.”

Binghamton University COVID-19 cases rising: How numbers compare to other SUNY schools (1)

The university’s 14-day rolling COVID-19 positivity rate was 1.52% on Feb. 22 with 45 new COVID-19 infections reported that day out of 1,338 campus-administered tests, according to the SUNY COVID-19 Case Tracker.

On Tuesday, the university’s 14-day rolling positivity rate was 2.15% with 70 new infections reported out of about 1,900 campus-administered tests. That followed 48 new infections on Monday and 15 on Feb. 27. The daily positivity rate for Feb. 27 was over 22%.

The university currently has an estimated 140 cases of COVID-19 since Feb. 27, based on the SUNY dashboard. Binghamton University accounts for about 29% of the estimated 483 current virus cases within the 61-campus SUNY system.

The rate is the highest among the four SUNY university centers:

  • By comparison, the State University of New York at Buffalo had nine positive cases as of Tuesday and a 14-day rolling positivity rate of 0.61%..
  • The University atAlbany is currently reporting eight positive cases and a 14-day rolling positivity rate of 0.92%.
  • At Stony Brook, the 14-day rolling average for the virus is 0.29% with 18 current cases.

Binghamton University, Broome County blame student socializing on COVID cases

“Currently, Binghamton University’s positivity rate remains below the five percent threshold set by the state, yet our numbers are continuing to climb,” acknowledged Ryan Yarosh, Binghamton University’s senior director of Media & Public Relations.

“All evidence indicates that the university’s positivity surge can be attributed to students socializing in groups without masks. We are actively encouraging all students to continue to follow public health guidelines and stay away from congregating in groups.”

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar doesn't believe ending in-person classes would do much to reduce instances of COVID-19 on campus. Garnar pointed to public school systems, where he said the transmission of the virus in classrooms has been largely absent.

"I don’t know about the university, but if there is little to no spread in the classrooms at the university, I don’t know if that is going to make much of a difference," the county leader said at a Wednesday afternoon briefing. “That would be something that university officials would have a better handle on, knowing their buildings and how they are configured."

Garnar laid out the challenges he believes university officials face.

“I will tell you that this is a difficult population to regulate. I know the campus is working with, for example the city of Binghamton. They are making sure that they are not having these large group gatherings … but as we see in this pandemic, it is difficult to regulate people’s behavior," Garnar said. "Especially when they are doing this in the privacy of their own homes. If the students are clever about having a party of 60 or 70 people, they will do it, and that’s where the virus is going to spread."

How Binghamton University is trying to slow the increase

While in-person classes are continuing, university staff is working “tirelessly and are making extraordinary efforts” to support students and contain the spread, Yarosh stressed.

“We have taken a number of proactive measures to assure that our number stays under the five percent threshold;we have paused most campus activities, switched dining to take-out and limited bus runs,” he added.

The university highlighted the following measures it has taken to support students and contain the virus:

  • Providing isolation housing across four university residential buildings and more students in quarantine housing off campus.
  • Managing meal delivery, transportation, daily health and wellness checks, package delivery, wireless services, academic support and even birthday messages for these students to make their experience safe and manageable.
  • Faculty are accommodating students who are in-person, remote, quarantined or isolated.
  • The virus testing center is often testing 2,000 people per day with the rapid results antigen test.

The February guidelines limit gatherings and placed a halt on many group activities. Those restrictions remain in place.

Lounges and common spaces in residence halls may continue to be used for attending remote classes and studying, however, social gatherings are not permitted in these spaces.

Athletic teams must test players three times a week to continue practicing and competing.

All non-virtual, non-classroom student activities, including Greek life, student group dance rehearsals and other non-academic student activities like club sports and intramural remain on hold.

In addition, the recreation center at the East Gym and the ice skating rink remain closed.

More:Major COVID-related changes in place at Binghamton University

Binghamton University COVID-19 cases rising: How numbers compare to other SUNY schools (2024)
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