Good Question: How will colleges track COVID-19 cases?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — We’ve received a Good Question about COVID-19 cases and schools.

Amy asked News10NBC’s Brennan Somers: With the fair amount of colleges here in Monroe County, if an out-of-state student tests positive, is that positive case added to Monroe County’s numbers or are colleges treated separately?

That question has come up several times in recent days with kids moving in on-campuses and headlines of outbreaks at other major schools across the country.

County Health Commissioner Dr. Mike Mendoza responded over Twitter saying, yes.

“We count these students locally while they are here," Mendoza tweeted. "When they are here they are part of our community. Welcome! (And please wear your masks!).”

We count these students locally while they are here. When they are here they are part of our community. Welcome! (And please wear your masks!??) https://t.co/bb2fp0ihFw

— Dr. Mike Mendoza (@DrMikeMendoza) August 20, 2020

Keep in mind, there are plenty of rules students had to follow before stepping foot on a college campus, whether that be testing negative before coming back or quarantining for two weeks off-site at a hotel if they are from a COVID-19 hotspot.

If you have a question you’d like answered, email goodquestion@whec.com.