University of Missouri COVID-19 cases down 90% compared to the same time last year

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Students say the University of Missouri is doing a good job with COVID-19 guidelines and they feel good to be back on campus.

"I'm really enjoying being here and being in person, I think it's definitely better for everyone and enjoying meet new people in class and get to witness last year for sure," said Owen Millikan, an MU student.

The university had 34 students with active cases of the virus on Monday, two weeks into the fall semester, while last year, at this time, the university hit its peak of 683 active cases.

"We are very, very pleased right now with how things are going," said Christian Basi, an MU spokesperson. "We feel that with our team of experts with the resources that we have available to us through public health that we have made a prudent policy that has helped us through the first few weeks of school."

Before Sept. 15, the current mask policy, which requires masks in classrooms, will be reassessed and possibly revised. However, students say it has not been a problem for them.

"A lot of classes are blended online and in-person, so it's really up to the person, they don't really have, you know any pressure to do either or, I think they're really good job about kind of presenting options to everybody," said Will Patton, an MU student.

The university does not have a vaccine mandate, but it does ask students and staff to submit their vaccination status. So far, over 10,000 people on campus are vaccinated and Basi says it is making a huge difference.

"One of the biggest things that's happening for us this year is the vaccine. We didn't have a vaccine last year and we had 400 Plus cases last year on this day, right now, we have 34," Basi said. "You know that is something that is a significant difference for us and that is a big change."

The university will continue to have vaccine clinics and encourage masks for the football game at Faurot Field on Saturday.

Only 60 students have reported having COVID-19 since returning on Aug. 22.