Guilford College issued the following announcement on Dec. 3.
Updates will be shared each Thursday from the Health and Safety Task Force at Guilford as a way of ensuring regular and trusted communication on important topics related to the operations of the college related to COVID-19. In this update, you will find:
- Testing results for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
- Report on December 2 Vaccine Clinic
- Important information about the Omicron variant
- Update on vaccine mandate
- Regular and relevant data to understand the health of our community
- Information on the next testing and vaccination opportunities on and off campus
- Information on important phasing and planning related to activities across campus
- Answers to frequently asked questions
Upon returning from Thanksgiving break, we held campus-wide coronavirus testing clinics on Tuesday, Nov. 30, or Wednesday, Dec. 1. We had 952 tests over those two days with one positive result. There is one outstanding test as of the distribution of this report. We did receive word of three students who tested positive over the Thanksgiving break. All three are isolated at home and are in good spirits.
Report on Dec. 2 COVID Vaccine Clinic
Our last vaccine clinic was held Thursday, Dec. 2, for anyone who needed a second or a booster shot. The clinic administered 49 second and booster shots. We are looking at scheduling additional vaccination clinics when we return in January.
Important information About the Omicron Variant
A brief message from Michele Malotky, Professor of Biology and Health and Safety Task Force member:
The emergence of the latest Coronavirus variant, Omicron, has once again raised the alarm, prompting governments to reinstitute travel bans and more rigorous screening protocols and reminding a weary public of the continued importance of practical measures to keep everyone safe — including social distancing, physical barriers (masking), quarantine procedures, and vaccination.
So far, analysis of the Omicron variant has revealed a number of mutations that could potentially increase the virus’s transmissibility, infectivity, and ability to evade current immune defenses. However, despite the concerns regarding the new variant, all evidence to date strongly supports vaccination as the best defense against infection and severe illness leading to hospitalization.
Viruses require a host in order to reproduce and spread. As long as there are hosts lacking immunity to the virus, it will continue to spread and mutate, potentially giving rise to novel variants that could undermine our attempts to stem the tide of viral contagion.
Finally, the polarizing political rhetoric surrounding vaccination and individual rights and liberties fails to acknowledge that liberty comes with responsibility and our freedoms should not supersede the freedom and safety of others. Please remain vigilant and promote health practices that will keep our community safe.
Update on Vaccine Mandate
We are now past the deadline for our vaccine mandate and we are pleased that the vast majority of our faculty, staff, and students have complied with the mandate or have obtained a religious or medical exemption. We continue to follow up with those who may still need a second shot for full compliance.
If you need to submit proof of your second shot, please upload using the following links:
STUDENTS
- Upload vaccine documentation here.
- Sign the community compact here.
- Upload vaccine documentation here.
- Sign the community compact here.
The Health and Safety Task Force
Kim Berry and Steve Mencarini, co-chairs
Janet Gould
Suzanne Bartels
Savannah Henry
Maya Chevalier
Kim-Anne Kleimeier
Reacie Daniel
Erickia Elbert
Ryann Fowler
Michele Malotky
Susan Smith
Original source can be found here.
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