Syracuse University students have returned to campus, but even with the delayed start to the spring semester, new data from the university suggests that more students have tested positive for COVID-19.

School officials delayed the start to the new semester on what they describe as a "strategic bet" that the omicron variant numbers would go down. Before returning to campus all students were required to submit a negative test, and were then tested again as they arrived. 

Although data is still being processed, of the 14,000 results there is an increase of 2.4%, which translates to more than 330 new cases. Officials say the type of test students took could play a role in the latest numbers.

"When we are identifying a positive with out arrival testing, with our PCR arrival testing, which highly accurate. Nine times out of 10, that is a student who tested negative on a at-home managing test, were clear to come back and then they get here and go through our arrival testing process and they test positive," said Syracuse University Vice Chancellor Dr. Michael Haynie. 

The university has not ruled out the possibility of re-opening their independent testing facility to the general public in the future. 

It was initially done at the request of SU Alum, Gov. Kathy Hochul.