A rise in on-campus COVID-19 cases over the past few days is linked to a “trend” of social distancing violations and gatherings, officials said in an email to the GW community Thursday.

More than a dozen on-campus community members have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks, according to the University’s COVID-19 tracking dashboard. Eighteen on-campus community members – nine employees or contractors and nine students – have tested positive for the virus since last Monday, the dashboard shows.

“As the pandemic progresses, there is a natural tendency to let our guard down and resume some normal pre-pandemic activities,” the email states. “However, now is not the time to be complacent, especially as colder weather approaches and we spend more time indoors.”

The email states that both on-campus and off-campus gatherings must be limited to 10 or fewer people, in accordance with D.C. health guidance, but officials are learning that even small gatherings pose a risk for spreading the virus.

“It is especially important to limit gatherings, wear masks and socially distance, even with friends and close contacts,” the email states.

Some members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity tested positive for COVID-19 after attending an off-campus gathering last month.