Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley is providing regular email update messages to keep students and parents informed about the efforts for a healthy Winter Term.
Summary of updates in this message
- Status updates
- Updated guidance about masks
- Register now for on-campus booster clinics
Status updates
The university dashboard is updated on the Healthy Elon website each weekday morning.
- 220 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed among Elon students and employees over the past week, January 12-18. This compares to 252 new cases during the week prior.
- As of yesterday, January 18, there were an estimated 102 active cases among Elon students and employees. This compares to 216 active cases a week ago.
- All North Carolina counties are in the “high” community transmission category. The CDC and state health officials continue to recommend wearing masks in public indoor settings, including stores, restaurants, and other businesses.
Updated guidance about masks
Last week the CDC updated the mask information on its website, clarifying that some masks offer greater protection to the wearer than others. Many experts are recommending that N95 or KN95 masks are the preferred option for masks, offering better protection against all variants of COVID-19 than other types of masks. Face shields, bandanas, and neck gaiters are not recommended.
The university has an indoor mask requirement, which we anticipate will continue while transmission rates remain high.
Register now for on-campus booster clinics
Students who are eligible for the booster are REQUIRED to upload documentation or submit the exemption request by January 31 in order to attend Spring Semester classes and live in campus housing. Register now for one of the on-campus booster clinics, or make an appointment at a local pharmacy.
The final two booster clinics during Winter Term will be held this Friday, January 21, and next Friday, January 28, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration is also currently open for the booster clinics that will be held during the first week of Spring Semester.
Individuals who are eligible for the booster shot and have not uploaded their documentation, including those with an exemption from the requirement must quarantine if they are a close contact (including roommate) of someone who tests positive.
Detailed information is always available on the Healthy Elon website, which provides important health and wellness information for students and employees, including what to do if you feel ill, test positive, or have close contact with a positive case. The site also offers responses to frequently asked questions about academics, vaccination, and employee information.
The next email update will be sent Wednesday, January 26, at 10:45 a.m., unless an additional message is warranted before then.
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Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life