University of Wyoming in-person class pause extended

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - In-person classes at the University of Wyoming will begin for the fall semester no sooner than Monday amid ongoing efforts to test for the coronavirus among students and others on campus, university officials said Wednesday.

University officials previously halted the start of in-person classes for five days starting Sept. 2, when seven students with symptoms tested positive for the virus.

The extension will allow university officials to see if more students come down with or test positive for the virus, the university said in a statement.

The delay should slow the spread of the virus but only if cases don't spike as a result of interactions over Labor Day weekend, President Ed Seidel said in the statement.

As of Wednesday, 70 people associated with the university - 14 students living on campus, 53 students off campus and three employees living off campus - had tested positive. Another 130 were in 14-day isolation because they were in close contact with those testing positive.

All students in Laramie should shelter in place, all employees except those designated otherwise should work from home, and all classes will continue to be online until at least Monday, university officials said.

Students with jobs may attend to those duties in person.