MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Confirmed COVID-19 cases tied to Georgia College have shot up sharply since students came back to town.

During June and July, the university reported 18 cases among employees who were working to get campus reopened for the fall. 

According to Georgia College’s COVID-19 cases tracking webpage, 147 individuals have tested positive for the novel coronavirus from Aug. 7 through Thursday, Aug. 20. Of those 147, only two are employees and the rest are students, meaning there is a disconnect between the on-campus measures (like wearing masks and social distancing) versus what is happening off-campus. 

GC Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Shawn Brooks said as much in an email sent out to students this week in response to the increase of positive cases.  

“Initial contact tracing seems to suggest that the virus spread is happening through off-campus contact and was likely the result of off-campus student gatherings and parties,” Brooks said in the email, a copy of which was obtained by The Union-Recorder.

Parties like the ones residents say have taken place in the historic district on North Columbia Street between McIntosh and Hancock streets, or about a block west of GC main campus. In the area are a few greek fraternity and sorority houses, some official and others unofficial. Unofficial meaning the house is not owned by the greek organization but is rented out to several members, making it a place for them and other members to come together and party. 

Milledgeville resident Mike Crews has lived in the mentioned area with his family for five years now. Having been through multiple starts of the college year, he said he’s seen more partying to kick off this term than others in the past. 

The Milledgeville Police Department has been called on multiple occasions to quiet parties down in recent weeks, and Crews said he has seen very few party attendees wearing masks on top of little to no regard for social distancing.  

Georgia College spokesperson Brittiny Johnson said in a statement sent to The Union-Recorder that, “all fraternity and sorority social activities, such as mixers, date nights, formals or any other large group gatherings, have been suspended on our campus for the fall semester. Unfortunately, there are private parties and social gatherings that take place in off-campus private residences and other locations outside our campus. As we appeal to our collective values of reason, respect and responsibility, Georgia College is actively discouraging our students from attending such gatherings and reminding them of the need to avoid crowds in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Crews’ reaction upon hearing the statement was simple.

“Based on what I’ve seen and heard, I haven’t really seen that actively pursued,” he said in a telephone interview.  

Georgia College has updated the number of COVID cases among students and employees daily. Friday’s numbers were not available as of presstime.