Missouri State University officials say they are expanding quarantine and isolation housing for students living on campus. This comes after the university reported 141 new cases of COVID-19 during the first full week of classes.
In an online update, MSU president Clif Smart said starting September 1, the university will have the entire Q Hotel and Suites on East St. Louis Street available for residential students who test positive for COVID-19.
Missouri State University had already converted Kentwood residence hall to quarantine housing for residents who haven’t tested positive for COVID-19 but need to quarantine.
Kentwood has 73 beds, according to Gary Stewart, director of Residence Life at MSU. Stewart said because of the number of cases, MSU has had to relocate some COVID positive students to Kentwood. He also says MSU is looking for more room at a Best Western hotel on the corner of St. Louis Street and Glenstone Avenue. It’s not clear yet how many beds are available there, but Stewart estimates the university will need around 20 to 30. He said six or seven students had already moved in to the hotel as of Monday night.
