BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The number of COVID-19 positive cases among Western students has risen and health officials are not sure why.

The Whatcom County Health Department confirmed nearly 30 positive COVID-19 cases among students living in Fairhaven and Nash residence areas in the past week.

Further contact tracing will be necessary to determine the cause for the increases.

Based on this increase, Western officials are asking those who will have an on-campus presence during the spring quarter to reserve their COVID testing appointment now.

Western’s COVID-19 surveillance testing clinic at Fraser Hall is open Monday through Thursday with a limited number of appointments.

No walk-ins are accepted and appointments are first-come, first-served.

Appointments can be made online at studenthealth.wwu.edu/mywesternhealth.