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UW frat brother's advice amid Covid-19 outbreak: 'Please don't party'

caption: Part of Greek Row at the University of Washington in Seattle is seen on Thursday, July 2, 2020.
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Part of Greek Row at the University of Washington in Seattle is seen on Thursday, July 2, 2020.
KUOW photo/Gil Aegerter

Fran Dukic has some advice for University of Washington students living in fraternities and sororities: "Please don't party. You can wait. You can wait."

Dukic, a senior living at Lambda Chi Alpha, has heard about the coronavirus cases piling up on the UW's Greek Row -- dozens of them so far.

"Just hang out ... with your guys in your house. That's fine," he said. "Don't go be out there being all reckless and stupid, because it's just not worth it.”

This week, Dukic was walking with fraternity brothers back to their house. All three were wearing face masks. Dukic just moved up from California and was shocked by how casual everyone was during the pandemic.

“I was just kind of really surprised by how lax it really is here,” he said, on face masks and socially distancing.

Earlier this week, the university said its official numbers show 38 infected students, living in 10 different fraternities and have been asked to self-quarantine.

On Thursday, a university spokesperson said the Interfraternity Council had reported at least 80 students living in 12 fraternity houses had reported testing positive. The spokesperson said the official count includes some of those casese, and the UW will check the others before adding them.

A testing station has been set up near the Greek houses, and the UW is asking students who test positive to notify them.

The outbreak has raised concerns about the university's ability to bring students back to campus in the fall. Classes are set to start Sept. 30.

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