Students may be intentionally contracting coronavirus to sell plasma, US university says

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The Brigham Young University (BYU)-Idaho in the United States is warning students of expulsion after finding out that some may have been intentionally contracting the novel coronavirus to sell their plasma with COVID-19 antibodies.

The university noted that it is “deeply troubled” by accounts of individuals doing the said activity, stressing that it condemns this behavior, as per BYU’s notice on Oct. 12.

“Students who are determined to have intentionally exposed themselves or others to the virus will be immediately suspended from the university and may be permanently dismissed,” the statement read.

The BYU said that it is currently actively seeking evidence of such conduct among its student body.

“The contraction and spread of COVID-19 is not a light matter. Reckless disregard for health and safety will inevitably lead to additional illness and loss of life in our community,” BYU stated.

The university also pointed out that they may be forced to move to a “fully-remote instruction model” if COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Idaho and Madison County.

“We urge all members of the campus community to act respectfully and responsibly by observing all public health and university protocols and placing the well-being of others above personal benefit or convenience,” BYU said.

As recorded on BYU’s website, there are currently 119 active COVID-19 cases among students and 20 among employees. There are 334 active COVID-19 cases in Madison County.

As of yesterday, Oct. 14, the US still holds the highest number of COVID-19 cases at over 7.8 million, while around 215,000 deaths have been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Reports of infected college students in Alabama intentionally attending and throwing “COVID-19 parties,” meanwhile, broke out last July.  /ra

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