Washington, Sep 11 (IANS): Nearly 640 pupils at the University of Alabama and three student organizations in the US have been sanctioned for violating the school's regulations on Covid-19.

A fourth organization is facing suspension, Xinhua news agency quoted a university spokesperson as saying on Thursday.

The university said in a statement that it "has issued 639 individual student sanctions as of September 8".

"Student suspensions could range in length depending on the severity of the conduct," it added.

For students, the first violation will result in a letter documenting the infraction while a second violation will receive a formal conduct charge and a "disciplinary warning, which will be reflected on their student disciplinary record".

The university introduced guidelines to prevent Covid-19 infections last month, which included the use of face coverings, social distancing and the restriction of large gatherings.

Coronavirus cases at the university have continued to climb since on-campus classes started on August 19.

According to the school's Covid-19 dashboard, the total number of cases since in-person classes began is at least 1,889.