In this message, Vice President Dooley shared about a recent cluster of cases stemming from an unregistered off-campus trip by members of a student organization.
Dear students, faculty and staff,
I write with an early Healthy Elon update this week to let you know about a cluster of COVID-19 cases being reported to the Alamance County Health Department and the NC Department of Health and Human Services, as required by the state. Over the past week, we have verified 15 positive cases among members of Alpha Kappa Psi co-ed business fraternity who participated in an unregistered off-campus trip October 1-3. The cases in this cluster represent all but one of the new positive cases among students last week.
Background on the cluster and university actions
Upon learning that positive cases were connected to the trip, the university worked to ensure that all 43 participants began testing. Those with positive results are in isolation and others who tested negative have been advised to follow CDC guidance for masking and watch for any symptoms. We have also conducted contact tracing to inform people in our community who may have had close contact with a positive case and inform them of resources and next steps.
Campus guidelines for group travel
Campus guidelines require student organizations to register all off-campus events or trips, review plans and policies with the Office of the Dean of Students, and have all participants test for COVID-19 prior to travel. These policies and extra testing measures have been effective in limiting the spread of the virus on campus this fall.
Next steps
This cluster illustrates the importance of continuing to follow COVID protocols, as well as the need to protect yourself and others, especially as you prepare for travel during Fall Break. The schedule for asymptomatic testing on campus is available on the testing page of the Healthy Elon website, along with local testing resources. Asymptomatic students, staff and faculty are welcome to attend testing in the Oaks (no appointment needed, but there may be longer wait times prior to Fall Break). Walk-in testing for students who are experiencing symptoms is available at Student Health Services (Ellington Center).
Please remember that wearing masks and limiting close social contact are key strategies for everyone, whether or not they are vaccinated.
An update on this cluster and other important information will be included in my regular weekly email on Wednesday.
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life