Bryant University likely drives up cases in Smithfield March 17, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A recent increase in the coronavirus infection rate in Smithfield is likely due to more cases among Bryant University students, according to state officials. For the last three weeks, Smithfield has had the highest number of new COVID-19 cases per capita in the state. “Cases among Bryant University students are believed to have been a big factor,” Joseph Wendelken, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health told The Providence Journal in an email Tuesday. The number of Bryant students testing positive more than doubled from the middle of February to the end of the month, according to the department.