A student's window at Sellery Hall displays a plea last week that many in the quarantined dorm may have had as UW-Madison took steps to address a COVID-19 outbreak on campus.

UW-Madison threatened “more drastic action” Tuesday if quarantines in two large dorms don’t greatly reduce COVID-19 infections, as health experts said a campus coronavirus outbreak is putting the general public at risk with flu season nearing.

“There’s real clear evidence that the outbreak that’s happening among students has bled into the community more broadly,” said Malia Jones, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the university.

While COVID-19 hospitalizations are down statewide and in the county from a peak in April, a flu outbreak atop a surge in coronavirus cases could threaten the supply of hospital beds, COVID-19 tests and protective equipment, said Dr.

“If the current quarantine does not reduce cases of COVID-19 in Sellery and Witte back to much lower levels by the end of this quarantine, University Housing may be forced to take more drastic action with these two residence halls,” the email said.

9, its daily record by far and one sign the campus outbreak has already spread into the community.

Before K-12 schools can reopen in person and restaurants and bars can expand services, Jones said coronavirus cases on campus and throughout the county will need to be dramatically reduced.

UW-Madison threatened “more drastic action” Tuesday if quarantines in two large dorms don’t greatly reduce COVID-19 infections, as health experts said a campus coronavirus outbreak is putting the general public at risk as flu season nears.

“There’s real clear evidence that the outbreak that’s happening among students has bled into the community more broadly,” said Malia Jones, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the university.

While COVID-19 hospitalizations are down statewide and in the county from a peak in April, a flu outbreak atop a surge in coronavirus cases could threaten the supply of hospital beds, COVID-19 tests and protective equipment, said Dr.

“If the current quarantine does not reduce cases of COVID-19 in Sellery and Witte back to much lower levels by the end of this quarantine, University Housing may be forced to take more drastic action with these two residence halls,” the email said.

None of the state’s 1,220 COVID-19 deaths have been among people younger than 20, but some young people are medically vulnerable to infection and young adults can spread the disease to others at high risk, Westergaard said.

“Individual risk and community risk are really intertwined,” he said.

James Conway, a UW Health pediatric infectious diseases specialist, said the university can’t control some intermingling between students and the community.

9, its daily record by far and one sign the campus outbreak has already spread into the community.

Before K-12 schools can reopen in person and restaurants and bars can expand services, Jones said coronavirus cases on campus and throughout the county will need to be dramatically reduced.