US Posts Lowest Daily Coronavirus Cases Since June Even As Schools Struggle With Outbreaks

Amid the traditional back-to-school and work season, the U.S. posted its lowest number of new daily coronavirus cases since June 16.

John Hopkins’ coronavirus tracking center said the U.S. reported 24,257 new confirmed cases and 267 deaths from the pandemic on Monday. California accounted for the highest number of new confirmed cases at 2,109. Florida, Illinois, Michiga, and North Carolina had totals topping 1,000.

Vermont accounted for the fewest number of new confirmed cases with three while Connecticut, Rhode Island and Wyoming reported no new cases.

While this was the lowest number of daily new cases since June 16, it comes as schools across the U.S. are struggling to respond to outbreaks. The problem has been especially noticeable at many colleges where outbreaks have forced school officials to cancel in-person classes and quarantine hundreds of students. The University of New Hampshire, Utah State University and the University of Arizona are among many schools forced to take such action in the last week.

The University of New Hampshire came under intense scrutiny during the weekend after multiple cases were traced back to an Aug. 29 frat party. Reports said it attracted more 100 people, and at least 11 confirmed cases had been traced back to it.

“This is reckless behavior and the kind of behavior that undermines our planning and will lead to us switching to a fully remote mode,” UNH President James Dean Jr. said in a letter to the school. “The Aug. 29 party is reprehensible and will not be tolerated. As soon as we heard of this party at Theta Chi, we started an investigation with the Interfraternity Council.”

Theta Chi was suspended for the duration of the investigation, and Dean said disciplinary action would be taken against the organizers and anyone who attended.

Other students said they were frustrated by the apparent ignorance and hope the parties begin to stop, as well.

“I’m a little mad, just cause we’re paying to go here and eventually it’s going to have to go online, just like it did last spring,” UNH sophomore Grant Quinn told CBS Boston-affiliate WBZ.