Quinnipiac University officials say 55 new COVID-19 cases among students have forced the university to use remote classes for the rest of the week.

The university sent a letter out announcing the decision to have remote classes only through the end of the week.

"We have seen a continued increase in new COVID-19 cases among students. Therefore, we are elevating our campus alert level to orange and deploying the associated mitigation efforts," school officials wrote.

There have been 55 new cases on campus since Monday, with 34 among on-campus students and 21 off-campus students.

Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven was shut down for hosting a Halloween party Friday that at least 20 Quinnipiac students

had attended.

Hamden's mayor says students living off campus and attending super-spreader events pose a risk to the greater community.

"The first thought, of course, is that you're troubled by the increase. But I'm troubled by the increase you're seeing

across the state," mayor Curt Leng said. "That's quite a high number, and again we haven't been there since April 27."

There are currently 108 active cases in isolation.

Leng says the local health department points to informal gatherings as a major factor.

"The continued interaction with folks and particularly close interaction where you could end up exchanging droplets and

having those issues happen, are concerning for me. And I don't want to see those issues get worse in the springtime," Leng said.

Quinnipiac officials say all on-ground graduate and undergraduate classes will be remote for the remainder of the week.

Several students have already been sent home as a result of the party last weekend.