Every Tuesday, the Gustavus COVID-19 Response Leadership Team will send out a weekly update that includes tips and reminders, policy updates, and information about on-campus COVID-19 cases. These messages are sent to all students, faculty, and staff along with Gustavus parents who have an email address on file with the College.
WEEKLY TIP
Get a Booster! If you haven’t already, please get a COVID-19 vaccine booster. Updated CDC guidelines indicate that individuals who are more than six months past their second dose of Pfizer/Moderna or more than two months past their only dose of Johnson & Johnson should follow the same isolation/quarantine protocols as those who are unvaccinated. While the College does not currently require a booster, the COVID-19 Response Leadership Team is discussing the possibility of a booster requirement. Get boosted now!
On-Campus Masking Update: Due to the number of positive cases on campus, the College will move to Level 3 masking beginning at 8 a.m. on January 5, 2022. In addition to the cases listed below (which were run as of last night), there were 14 positive cases from the campus mass testing yesterday. This puts our current number of cases at 27. Masking Level 3: masks are required in all indoor buildings on campus including residence halls, except when actively eating or drinking in designated dining areas, in private offices when alone with the door closed, and in residence hall rooms with roommates only and door closed.
Isolation Updates: Effective immediately, Gustavus will follow the new CDC isolation guidance for faculty and staff. For the time being, Gustavus students will continue to follow previous isolation and quarantine guidelines as the College awaits more guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health about quarantine/isolation recommendations for students in congregate living settings.
Omicron Reminders: The COVID-19 Response Leadership Team encourages students, faculty, and staff to follow these COVID-19 mitigation measures moving forward:
- Get the COVID booster as soon as possible if you are eligible.
- Report if you test positive.
- Participate in the weekly mass testing on Mondays and Wednesdays in January.
- Wear a KN95 if you want an extra layer of protection (the Book Mark is now selling KN95 masks)
- Practice COVID safety on campus and off campus.
College officials will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments to campus regulations if needed.
COVID-19 DASHBOARD UPDATE
As of January 3, 2022
Total Positive Cases (since August 15, 2021): 109
Current Positive Student Cases: 12
Current Positive Employee Cases: 1
Total Students in Isolation/Quarantine: 12
Students in Isolation/Quarantine On Campus: 11
Employees in Isolation/Quarantine: 1
This data set is meant to encompass the on-campus impact of COVID-19 by counting cases where a person may have been on campus while infectious. For example, students who are living at home or employees who are working remotely and not visiting campus will not be counted in these on-campus numbers. This information, along with statistics from the 2020-2021 academic year, is also available for viewing on the College’s COVID-19 Dashboard History page.
As always, if you have any questions, please consult the College’s COVID-19 website and email g-covidresponse@gustavus.edu.