Reported instances of influenza-like illness increased last week at Penn to 63 cases, or 31.3 cases per 10,000 students during the first full week of classes, up from 12.4 cases per 10,000 the week before.
This increase places the number of new infections at Penn above the national average reported by the American College Health Association, which was 24.7 cases per 10,000 students.
However, Penn’s infection rate remains below that of reported infections in the state of Pennsylvania, which ACHA reported was 42.0 cases per 10,000 students.
According to Matt Waller, director of Public Affairs and Communications for the Office of the Vice Provost of University Life, Penn is not moving infected students or their roommates out of dorm housing.
Public-health officials have advised that those infected with the flu can be contagious for up to 24 hours before they show symptoms. This means that roommates of ill students have probably already been exposed to the flu.
Ill students can have a friend pick up a breakfast, lunch and dinner pack for them at any campus dining location, Waller said.
