Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Summary of updates in this message
- Status updates
- Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
- Get your COVID-19 booster now
- A note about masks
- What if my roommate tests positive?
Status updates
The university dashboard is updated on the Healthy Elon website each weekday morning.
- 252 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed among Elon students and employees over the past week, January 5-11.
- As of yesterday, January 11, there were an estimated 216 active cases among Elon students and employees. This compares to 89 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.
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
As a reminder the university will be closed on Monday, January 17, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A number of university events are scheduled throughout the week.
Asymptomatic testing at the McCoy Commons will not be held on Monday, but symptomatic testing at the Ellington Center will maintain regular hours (9 a.m. – noon and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.).
Get your COVID-19 booster now
Complete your booster shot and upload your documentation this week, if at all possible. Please see this special video message from University Physician Dr. Ginette Archinal.
As a reminder, individuals who are eligible for the booster shot and have not uploaded their documentation are required to quarantine if they are a close contact (including roommate) of someone who tests positive.
Students who wait until right before the January 31 deadline may not be able to get a booster shot at one of the on-campus clinics, which are limited in capacity. The next booster clinic will be held this Friday, January 14, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will be followed by clinics each Friday through the month of January. Register now for one of the on-campus booster clinics, or make an appointment at a local pharmacy.
After receiving your booster, upload documentation here by selecting “booster shot” under the status drop-down menu (do not submit booster documentation “fully vaccinated” again). You can verify your vaccination status by checking the My Readiness Portal. Visit the Healthy Elon Vaccination Central page for full information about vaccinations and booster shots.
A note about masks
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. Double-masking with a surgical mask is recommended for those using single-layer or other hand-made cloth masks. Face shields, bandanas, and neck gaiters are not recommended. The university continues to have an indoor mask requirement, which we anticipate will continue while transmission rates remain high. Masks are also strongly recommended when interacting around others off-campus, including at local businesses and restaurants.
What happens if my roommate tests positive?
As quickly as possible, Elon’s quarantine support staff will contact students who share a room with students who test positive. When there are a substantial number of positive cases in a day, staff will prioritize contacting positive students, followed by close contacts. Given the quick information students receive about test results, many students may find out their roommate has tested positive before the university is able to speak with them directly. A few key things to know if your roommate tests positive:
- Keep in mind that by the time your roommate tested positive you have already been exposed.
- If you are not vaccinated, (or boosted, if eligible), you will be assigned to quarantine, so you should remain in your room and await instructions from the university quarantine support staff.
- If you are vaccinated (and boosted, if eligible) and have no symptoms, you do not have to be quarantined, but should wear a mask whenever you are around others. If you are asymptomatic, you should get tested at the McCoy Commons five days after exposure. If you develop symptoms at any time, you should test as soon as possible at the Ellington Center.
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 19, at 10:45 a.m., unless an additional message is warranted before then.
—
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life