Benton County COVID-19 spike partly due to OSU move-in

Benton County COVID-19 spike partly due to OSU move-in

Home in our coronavirus coverage tonight -- we're learning more about the spike in covid-19 cases we saw in benton county yesterday.

The oregon health authority said the county reported 27 new cases yesterday -- which was its highest*one day total -- since the pandemic started.

Previously -- the county didn't exceed more than 10 cases in a single day.

And as kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy explains -- health officials say that students moving into residence halls at oregon state university -- is partly to blame.

Osu students are moving into their home*away from home.

Steve: "typically in fall term in corvallis we have about 5000.

This year we expect 2,500 or less."

Benton county health officials say the influx of osu students is one of the reasons for the spike in cases.

On saturday benton county reported*27 new cases...the highest single day total in its county -- since the pandemic started.

Students started moving in on friday --- and over 1,000 students have already been tested.

Steve: "after two and a half days of testing, the positive cases are less than 2% overall."

Out of the 400 students tested on saturday...there were zero positive cases.

Bridge: osu students will continue moving into these dorms through tuesday.

But not before they take a covid-19 test and show a negative result.

If a student tests positive, they can move into an isolation room on campus until they test negative.

Or they can return to their home town and come back when they're no longer positive.

One incoming freshman feels relieved knowing everyone is tested before moving in.

Nicholas: "everyone in the dorm halls got a negative test so it makes you feel more peace of mind that no one in at least the hall has a positive test as of now."

Reporting in corvallis kennedy dendy kezi 9 news