Iona College is moving to virtual learning for the next two weeks after an increase in COVID-19 cases.

According to college officials, at least 69 students have tested positive, and 98% of those cases involve student-athletes, some who live off-campus.

The school began widespread testing of all teams and potential contacts and found eight different sports teams had at least one case. They say as many as 500 students have been going through required surveillance testing each week and that's how they noticed an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases. 

Iona officials say they believe the virus was spread through what they are calling a single, isolated event. They won't say exactly what that event was but News 12 is being told there will be a judicial review process to determine potential consequences.

Right now, Iona officials say the rise in cases has not met the state's threshold to completely shut down.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson issued a statement saying, "Although this outbreak appears confined to the Iona student body, it serves as an important reminder for all of us to abide by public health guidelines."

Visitors are no longer allowed on campus or in residence halls. "We're not allowed to meet people from other rooms anymore we're pretty much restricted to our own rooms,' says student Jonathan Rivas.

Some Iona College students have chosen to move out and spend the rest of the semester at home.

They say they hope to return to campus in the spring, but for now feel it’s safest to leave just eight weeks after in-person classes resumed.