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 Spring Semester.
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Summary of updates in this message
- Status updates
- Updates to university policies for masking and testing
- Booster clinic registration
Status updates
The university dashboard is updated on the Healthy Elon website each weekday morning.
- Seven new COVID-19 cases were confirmed among Elon students and employees over the past week, February 23 – March 1. This compares to five new cases the week prior.
- As of yesterday, March 1, there were an estimated five active cases among Elon students and employees. This compares to two active cases a week ago.
- The reported number of cases and the testing positivity rates across North Carolina have fallen significantly since mid-January. Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new county community-level tracking tools which no longer suggest community-level mask mandates. As of today, Alamance and Guilford counties remain in the ‘high’ community-level category.
- The CDC has also updated its guidance about individual use and care of masks.
Updates to university policies for masking and testing
Earlier this week the Healthy Elon Committee shared information with the university about changes to university COVID-19 policies that will take effect on campus Monday, March 14. Among the changes:
- Elon will shift to an indoor mask optional policy for all campus spaces.
- Those who have not received their vaccination and booster, who are at elevated risk or who have family members at risk are strongly encouraged to continue the use of masks indoors. Everyone on campus should keep a mask with them for situations where extra protection is needed or if they are not feeling well.
- Everyone should support and offer respect and understanding for those who choose to wear masks to protect themselves or their loved ones. Individuals with specific health concerns may ask visitors to their small, closed workspaces to be masked or may ask to meet in a different location. We ask the community to be respectful and honor such requests.
- Asymptomatic testing in Oaks 207 will remain open and available to all, including for students, faculty, or staff who want to test after Spring Break.
- Symptomatic testing will continue by appointment at Student Health Services and Faculty/Staff Wellness. Click here for scheduling information.
- Those who are unvaccinated or without their booster are still required to test weekly throughout spring semester.
Booster clinic registration
The final two COVID-19 vaccine booster clinics will be held on-campus this Friday, March 4, and next Thursday, March 10. Advance registration is available online for all on-campus booster clinics. After spring break, booster clinics will be held less frequently due to the smaller number of individuals who are becoming booster eligible each week.
Additional information
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, March 9, at 10:45 a.m., unless an additional message is warranted before then.
—
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life