Monopoly, video games, study groups: How COVID-19 is spreading at USC

These are the small group gatherings that are the source of the ongoing surge of COVID-19 infections among students at USC. As the university enters its second week of classes, it's not large shoulder-to-shoulder parties that are the top worry. It's the common, day-to-day interactions among groups of 10 or fewer friends and housemates who live in thousands of privately owned apartments and houses that surround the campus. The situation underscores the challenges other colleges in California face as classes resume this fall, including UCLA, where classes begin Sept. 28. Dr. Sarah Van Orman, chief health officer for USC Student Health, said that since her last update on Monday, 104 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed -- including the first three on campus -- marking 147 total cases this week.