Throughout Fall Semester, 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 semester.
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Summary of updates in this message
- Status update on campus and in Alamance County
- Omicron variant
- University guidance for fall semester and winter term
- Uploading COVID-19 booster shot documentation
- Testing before end-of-the-semester travel
Status Update
The university dashboard is updated on the Healthy Elon website each weekday morning.
- 5 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed among Elon students and employees over the past week, November 24-30.
- As of yesterday, November 30, there were an estimated 5 active cases among Elon students and employees.
- Alamance County remains in the “high” community transmission category, while Guilford county has moved down into the “substantial” category within the past week. The CDC and state health officials continue to recommend wearing masks in public indoor settings, including stores, restaurants, and other businesses.
Omicron variant
Scientists across the globe are analyzing the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has emerged as a concern over the past week. We will monitor the developing understanding about the impact of Omicron and share information as it becomes available. In the meantime, we are prepared to leverage all the tools we have developed over the past two years to protect the health and safety of our community.
University guidance for fall semester and Winter Term
Based on current guidance from the CDC and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Alamance and Guilford County health departments regarding COVID transmission rates, the campus indoor mask requirement will remain in place for all students, faculty, staff and visitors through the end of fall semester. This includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Masks are not required for those alone in private offices, in residence hall/apartment rooms, or while eating or drinking.
The Healthy Elon Committee, the Infectious Disease Response, and Data teams will continue to review conditions with local and state health officials and will provide advance notice of policy guidelines for Winter Term in mid-to-late December based on CDC assessment of COVID-19 community transmission risks, on-campus conditions, as well as guidance from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Alamance and Guilford County health departments.
Uploading COVID-19 vaccine booster shot documentation
In an announcement released Monday, the CDC announced it now recommends all people ages 18 and older receive booster shots. This is especially important during the busy holiday season when so many people are traveling and spending time with others. Elon students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to get your booster shot as soon as possible and upload documentation here by selecting “booster shot” under the status drop-down menu. Visit the Healthy Elon Vaccination Central page for full information about vaccinations and booster shots.
Testing before end-of-the-semester travel
For those interested in asymptomatic walk-up testing before traveling at the end of the semester, the testing will be available in McCoy Commons 207, in the Oaks Neighborhood. The testing page of the Healthy Elon website has information about the regular schedule for COVID-19 testing, which will remain in place through Friday, December 10.
Members of the university community are encouraged to review the CDC guidance for travel as you finalize travel plans.
The next email update will be sent Wednesday, December 8, at 10:45 a.m., unless an additional message is warranted before then.
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.
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Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life