A recent surge of coronavirus cases reported in Mississippi has been tied to fraternity rush parties, NBC News reports.
A cluster of cases in Oxford, Mississippi can be traced back to fraternity parties held on the Ole Miss campus, according to Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.
Dobbs announced the state reported 381 new virus cases during a Thursday news conference. He said that some trace back to the campus parties, which are being held in violation of the Gov. Tate Reeves’ executive order that prohibits indoor gatherings where social distancing can't be enforced be limited to 20 people or less.
"We do think they're at the front end or a mid sort of section of a significant outbreak," Dobbs said. "What we've identified so far is that it seems to be related to community transmission and social gatherings."
Of the new coronavirus cases in Oxford, 81% of the reported cases are people ages 18-24. Dobbs said parents of infected students already are beginning to test positive.
"So please everyone follow the rules and be careful. The things that we can do to prevent transmission are so very easy," Dobbs said.
The University of Mississippi said 162 of its students have tested positive for the virus since June 1, according to NBC affiliate WLBT in Jackson.
The university's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life posted on its website that all fraternity and sorority gatherings have been canceled or postponed until further notice due to coronavirus.
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