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Dear Parents and Guardians,
This morning we received the results from our third round of COVID testing conducted on Sunday and Monday of this week. There was one positive case reported, for a student; all other students and community members tested negative. Appended below is the email I sent to students and the campus community regarding the positive case. As in our first case, the student was diligent in following our quarantine protocols, and as a result there were no close contacts generated from this case. Please continue to support us as we ask students to maintain our safety protocols.
As I note in my email to the community, although we have had cases on campus, we don't have an indication of spread happening as a result, which is still a good start to the semester. We are on track, and we hope to start easing quarantine restrictions based on the results of the next round of testing.
Thank you so much for your continued support.
Warmly,
Richard H. Davis Jr.
COVID Coordinator
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Dear Campus Community,
I write with an update on our Sunday-Monday testing round (round three for those who are counting). We received one positive test result today, for a student in Watson dormitory. All other students and community members tested negative. We have planned for positive cases to emerge during our quarantine period, and we followed our protocols:
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The individual was contacted, along with their parents or guardians, to notify them of the positive test;
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The individual moved into the Health Center for care and isolation, while arrangements were made to go home;
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The bathroom and other common surfaces in the dorm corridor were cleaned by the housekeeping team;
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Contact tracers worked with the individual to identify any others who should quarantine as a precautionary measure;
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The dorm faculty, advisors, and class deans were also notified, and students are receiving the support they need.
No close contacts have been identified from this positive case, in large part because the quarantine protocols were followed well. Important: even though our testing has been mostly negative, it is essential that all continue to follow quarantine protocols strictly. Because the virus can take up to two weeks to incubate, it is entirely possible that positive cases can show up even after negative rounds of testing, as has happened for both of our positive cases. If we all continue to follow our quarantine protocols strictly, we help ensure that any other positive cases will have minimal chance for spread and disruption to our community.
Today is the eighth day after all of our arrivals ("day 8" of quarantine, if you will). Although we have had cases on campus, we don't have an indication of spread happening as a result. We are on track, and we hope to start easing quarantine conditions if the next testing round supports it. However, please remember that the transition out of quarantine will come over a few days, as I explained in last Saturday's community meeting, with a return to lower risk activities first. More details to come.
I thank you once again for all you are doing to keep yourselves and each other safe.
Be strong, be kind, be well- RHD COVID Coordinator
If you hear about someone who has tested positive: -
Stay calm. Take a deep breath. Understand that the School is responding promptly, but that a positive test result is not a critical emergency.
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Be kind. This is a potentially scary situation for the individual who has tested positive and any others they have come into contact with. Be supportive, and please respect their privacy by not spreading the news or rumors.
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Lean on our safety protocols. Remember that masking, distancing, and handwashing are the most effective ways individuals can protect themselves. The contact tracing process will identify other individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
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Be alert to other instructions. Pay attention to your email and other communications in case there are instructions for your dorm or the community.
If you test positive: -
Stay calm. Take a deep breath. The School will connect you with the care you need, contact your parents/guardians, and provide specific instructions to you about your next steps.
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Ensure you are not exposing others: put on your mask, stay distanced from others, and proceed to your dorm room (if you are not already there).
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Prepare to move to isolation space on campus until you can go home or get picked up by a proxy caregiver. We will provide a suggested packing list for you.
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When you are instructed to, wearing your mask and keeping at least 6' distance from all other individuals, proceed to the expanded Health Center space in the Wieler Common Room. A member of Security, the Health Center team, faculty, or staff will escort you.
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While you are in the Health Center, a member of our contact tracing team will connect with you to help determine whether other individuals should go into quarantine because of their contact with you. It is essential for the health of others that you participate fully and honestly in the contact tracing process.
If you are identified as a contact of a positive case: -
Stay calm. Take a deep breath. The Contact Tracing Team will provide specific instructions to you about your next steps.
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Ensure you are not exposing others: put on your mask, stay distanced from others, and proceed to your dorm room (if you are not already there).
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Prepare to move into quarantine. Most contacts will quarantine at home or with a local proxy caregiver, but some may remain in School-provided space. We will provide a suggested packing list for you.
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Remain in your dorm room until you are picked up or move into campus quarantine space. In some cases a student may move into School quarantine space overnight until leaving campus.
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