This week's update includes a video message for students from President Connie Ledoux Book. Throughout the fall semester, Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley is providing regular email update messages to keep students and parents informed about the efforts related to COVID-19.
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
As we wrap up the first month of the undergraduate semester, it is time to recommit to practices that keep the virus from spreading. Please see this video message from President Book:
Today’s weekly COVID-19 update includes important information on the following topics:
- Current status
- Get your flu shot this fall
- Testing, contact tracing, and quarantine
- What to do if you feel ill
- Additional sources of information
- Chaplain’s reflection
Current status
- Elon’s current COVID-19 alert level is currently at “Level 1 – New Normal.”
- Since the September 9 email update, there have been 17 new positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed among students, faculty and staff.
- As of yesterday afternoon, there were 108 students in quarantine or isolation, including those with confirmed positive cases as well as those who were in close contact with cases or awaiting test results.
- University and Alamance County Health Department officials have identified seven positive cases among individuals who gathered multiple times at an off-campus residence. While the circumstances for these cases do not qualify as a “cluster” reportable to the state, this situation demonstrates that staying vigilant, even around good friends and people you know, is vitally important.
Get your flu shot this fall
Public health officials are strongly recommending that we all get the annual flu vaccine this fall.
- The next student flu shot clinic on campus will be tomorrow, September 17. Students can view the calendar of upcoming flu clinics and make an appointment online here.
- Information about the faculty and staff flu clinics each Wednesday can be found on the Faculty Staff Wellness Clinic website.
Testing, contact tracing, and quarantine
Visit the following links on the Ready and Resilient website for resources and information about these important topics:
- COVID-19 testing on- and off-campus
- Contact tracing and notification (including the distinction between “close personal contacts” and “expanded contacts”)
- Processes and protocols for isolation and quarantine, when required by the health department.
Information about students who are unable to attend class in person because they are required by the health department to quarantine is sent directly to faculty members by the Office of the Dean of Students. Faculty or staff with questions about a student report that they are in mandatory quarantine, should email StudentConcerns@elon.edu.
Students are reminded that the Healthy Elon Commitment requires that you follow any guidance or directives from university or health authorities, which includes requirements for quarantine.
What to do if you feel ill
If you feel ill or experience COVID-19 symptoms, avoid all contact with others. Stay at home and in your room. Do not go to class, work, dining halls, etc. Guidance for students, faculty, and staff on what to do if you feel ill is on the Ready and Resilient website.
Sources of information
For more information about COVID-19 and the university response, visit the Elon Ready and Resilient website; the COVID-19 dashboard, which includes links to federal, state, and regional data sources; and the Today at Elon news and information website.
Chaplain’s reflection
University Chaplain Jan Fuller offers a weekly reflection to help us in our search for meaning during this challenging time. This week’s reflection, “Upside Down Faith” can be found here on the Truitt Center blog.
The next weekly COVID-19 update will be sent to all students, faculty, and staff at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, unless an earlier message is warranted.
—
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life