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- March 1, 2021 | Rise in COVID Positives, Consider Your...
- Title:
- March 1, 2021 | Rise in COVID Positives, Consider Your Spring Break Plans Carefully
- Date:
- 2021-03-01
- Category:
- Presidential Memos
- Harvested from:
- https://perma.cc/H79Z-9K2U
- Type:
- text
- Digital Format:
- text/html
- Reference Link:
- https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/fridayletter/letters/president_memo_2021-03-01.html
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March 1, 2021 | Rise in COVID Positives, Consider Your Spring Break Plans Carefully
TO: University of Idaho Students, Faculty and Staff
FROM: Scott Green, President
Torrey Lawrence, Provost and Executive Vice President
DATE: March 1, 2021
SUBJECT: Rise in COVID Positives, Consider Your Spring Break Plans Carefully
We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 positives after the recent long weekend and subsequent snow closure in Moscow. The past week we received 802 test results showing 7.61% of those as positive. While the increase is significant, we believe it is isolated to a few Greek chapters, two of which are now in quarantine and on-campus apartments. We are working quickly to identify and test those who have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive. It also reminds us we need to maintain our focus.
We are just two weeks from Spring Break, and although we are all looking forward to a break, it also comes with some concern about our campus safety. Testing is available for anyone who would like that peace of mind before heading on break. Testing appointments for Tuesday, March 9, are available. Sign up early to secure your spot. Following the Healthy Vandal Pledge is important to returning healthy after the break.
Classes will begin again on Monday, March 22, in the method indicated in the course catalog. We will do a complete COVID-19 retest of all students attending class in-person upon return from Spring Break. Those who have previously tested positive or completed vaccination — and have it documented in their student account — will not be required to test.
Planning continues for in-person commencement ceremonies in May. We will watch for changes in our state requirements and receive local guidance from Idaho Public Health as final decisions are made.
The state’s vaccine committee has not made any decision regarding inclusion of higher education employees in Group 3 of the vaccination rollout. Meanwhile, we continue to host vaccination clinics at the Student Recreation Center in support of Gritman Medical Center. Anyone who meets the current vaccination criteria can make an appointment through Gritman Medical Center.
The university’s COVID-19 webpage continues to be updated each week with test result data. This week a graphic element displaying the data is live on the site.
Many indicators show that we are making progress to end this pandemic. This is no time to let up. Please remain focused and diligent in our efforts to keep ourselves and each other healthy.
Keep Calm and Vandal On.
Scott Green
President
president@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/president
Torrey Lawrence
Provost and Executive Vice President
provost@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/provost