Notre Dame students return to in-person classes

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- Notre Dame students head back to the classroom on Wednesday, Sept. 2, after all, classes went online for two weeks due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The overall number of positive cases at the University of Notre Dame since the semester started is 583. But, campus officials said the daily number of new cases is down, and that’s what motivated the decision to return to in-person classes.

The university confirmed six new cases earlier this week based on 561 tests that were performed on Monday, Aug. 31. That’s roughly three percent of tests coming back positive for COVID-19. In all, Notre Dame has more than 7,000 tests, according to the school’s COVID-19 dashboard.

They also estimate about 200 of the total positive cases are active, while 385 students who tested positive have recovered.

When students return back to campus, University president Father John Jenkins asks that everyone on campus wear masks, maintain social distancing, wash their hands, complete daily health checks and report for surveillance testing if called to do so.

“If we adopt these practices, we can have a safe and successful semester on campus,” Father Jenkins said.