Ingham County orders mandatory quarantine of Greek houses

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A county on Monday ordered a two-week quarantine for 23 fraternities and sororities and seven large rental houses near Michigan State University following a coronavirus outbreak that a local health official said was turning into a “crisis.”

The quarantine, which is mandatory, means students or others living in the buildings cannot leave except for medical care or necessities that cannot be delivered.

“I do not take this lightly, but there is an outbreak centered on Michigan State University (MSU) and it is quickly becoming a crisis,” Ingham County Heath Officer Linda Vail said in a statement. “The surge in cases we have seen over the past few weeks is alarming.”

Vail acted two days after she urged all MSU students living locally to voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days.

She said the outbreak was being fueled by a lack of cooperation and compliance from some students at the university, which is offering online-only instruction. People who willfully violate the order could face six months in jail, a $200 fine or both.