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FSU Quarantine Dorm Fills Up As Leon County Covid-19 Cases Rise

A sign is staked into the ground. It reads, "Health Reminder: Wear Your Mask." Below the text is an illustration of a face mask. The sign rests against a small tree. In the background is one of FSU's residence halls.
Robbie Gaffney
/
WFSU-FM
Florida State University has placed signs across campus reminding people to wear their masks. But infections are still rising among the student population.

The New York Times lists Tallahassee as the 2nd metro area where coronavirus cases are rising the fastest, on a population-adjusted basis. Leon County has 7,943 COVID-19 infections.

15 to 24-year-olds are making up most of the new coronavirus cases in Leon County. Florida State University reports 839 students have become infected. One of the college's designated quarantine dorms, Rogers Hall, is already full. It is currently housing 84 students. The other quarantine dorm, Salley Hall, has about 15 students so far. The university is not currently planning to set up a third dorm for students infected with COVID-19.

Videos and pictures of college-aged people not wearing masks or social distancing are getting posted on social media. The university plans to randomly test asymptomatic students, faculty, and staff starting next week. President John Thrasher says students caught breaking COVID-19 safety guidelines could face serious consequences.

Robbie Gaffney graduated from Florida State University with degrees in Digital Media Production and Creative Writing. Before working at WFSU, they recorded FSU’s basketball and baseball games for Seminole Productions as well as interned for the PBS Station in Largo, Florida. Robbie loves playing video games such as Shadow of the Colossus, Animal Crossing, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Their other hobbies include sleeping and watching anime.