Elon shifts to high alert due to increase in COVID-19 cases on campus

Members of the Elon community,

We know how to fight COVID-19. Monday marked five weeks of positivity rates under 1% in our testing program, and high levels of masking and physical distancing. Today, we write to ask for your help in fighting harder to protect our community. The threat of a surge of cases in our community is real and requires immediate action.

New Cases and a Shift to High Alert

We ask for your assistance in heightening virus precautions so that we are not forced to increase restrictions on campus.

• We have increased the campus alert level to Level 2 – High Alert. Yesterday, we reported 17 new cases and we have reported 66 cases in the past seven days. There are now 230 students in isolation or quarantine and the 76 active Covid-19 cases is the highest level since November 25.
• Case analysis is tracing many of the cases reported since Sunday to travel away from campus and social contact without masks (including Super Bowl parties). We also expect the Alamance County Health Department to soon report clusters of cases associated with Beta Theta Pi, Club Baseball, and possibly an additional group.
• Last week, the faster spreading UK variant strain of the virus was reported in neighboring Guilford and Mecklenburg Counties. Rapid spread of variants has already forced some colleges and universities to shelter in place, including in North Carolina.

Additional Free Student Testing held on Saturday, Feb. 13

In order to get ahead of virus spread, additional undergraduate student testing was offered on Saturday, Feb. 13. NOTE: This test does not replace students’ required weekly test this week or next week.

If you are experiencing symptoms, do not come to Alumni Gym. Contact Student Health Services to set up an appointment for a free test.

Every one of us must act to protect our community’s health and to avoid the rapid surge of cases we experienced in the fall.

Thank you keeping us all safe,

Jeff Stein, Ready & Resilient Committee Chair

• Dan Anderson, Vice President of University Communications
• Ginette Archinal, Medical Director of Student Health and University Physician
• MarQuita Barker, Director of Residence Life
• John Barnhill, Associate Vice President for University Advancement
• Tom Flood, Assistant Vice President of Physical Plant
• Jason Husser, Associate Professor of Political Science and Policy Studies, and Director of the Elon Poll (Academic Council Representative)
• Deandra Little, Assistant Provost, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and Professor of English
• Paul Miller, Assistant Provost for Academic Operations and Communications and Professor of Exercise Science
• Kelly Reimer, Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies (Staff Council Representative)
• Carrie Ryan, Director of Auxiliary Services
• Kelli Shuman, Associate Vice President for Human Resources & Chief Human Resources Officer
• Gabie Smith, Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Psychology
• Mary Southern, Project Manager for Provost and Academic Affairs Operations (Project Manager)
• Mike Ward, Deputy Director of Athletics
• Randy Williams, Vice President and Associate Provost for Inclusive Excellence and Assistant Professor of Education

;