Public Health Update – November 22, 2021

Dear Students,

As we lead up to the Thanksgiving break we have seen another increase in COVID-19 cases, and our positivity rate increased for this week, but still remains low in context of the surrounding area. The reported illnesses have been mild and we believe that the spread has taken place through social events and unmasked gatherings. We have not seen evidence of spread taking place in the classroom.

Since the rates have increased around us in Middletown, and in Connecticut more generally, we ask everyone to be diligent in wearing face coverings indoors this weekend to help reduce the risk of a further increase in cases. As you finish your academic work next week, many of you will travel home, and we want to do everything we can to keep you and those with whom you’ll be spending time as safe as possible, enabling us to return from Thanksgiving and have a successful end of the semester. Testing will be available today, as well as Monday and Tuesday next week.

If you will be travelling, please take appropriate precautions including properly wearing your face covering and avoiding large gatherings. We strongly recommend that students get tested before returning to campus.

Upon returning after Thanksgiving, all students will be expected to test twice per week for the remainder of the semester. Testing will be available beginning Monday, November 29. The Pandemic Committee will continue to monitor cases and the positivity rate, and what we learn through contact tracing will help us determine if any adjustments need to be made to campus life.    

Please consult the Keep Wes Safe website for additional information about our safety protocols and take every precaution to insure the health and safety of the people around you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tom McLarney, Medical Director

Rick Culliton, Chair Pandemic Planning Committee and Dean of Students