COVID-19 update

Dear students,

While I am sure the news of moving to Operational Level 2 yesterday has been disappointing, I believe this can be a temporary step. With your cooperation and attention to the basics of wearing a mask, limiting time within six feet of others (especially in larger groups), and staying home if you feel ill, we still remain poised to end the semester strong. Many students have been and continue to be focused on these behaviors, and you are to be commended. We are seeing more COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania and in Northampton County, so thank you for keeping your mitigation practices strong on campus and off. 

• Fifty student positives and one employee cases were found in testing over the past seven days for a positivity rate of 2.3% for students and 0.2% for faculty and staff. 
• In light of moving to Operational Level 2, the opening of Trolley Stop has been delayed until at least April 26.
• The news about the pause in administration of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has resulted in a shift for our second vaccine clinic. Here is an article summarizing the key aspects of the FDA/CDC decision to pause the vaccine. There are a few slots remaining for on-campus Pfizer vaccinations. We will end registration tomorrow at 5 p.m. No walk-ups or rescheduling will be possible. Vaccination is highly encouraged but not required.
• Check out the new data point regarding the number of students vaccinated in the COVID-19 dashboard. Once we have a more complete count of students vaccinated we will break this down by partial and fully vaccinated individuals.

If you have questions, please contact me.

Annette Diorio
Vice President for Campus Life