PORT Announcements announce-port@fandm.edu
Sat, Oct 3, 7:15 AM
Dear Colleagues and Students,
As you know, the College is conducting periodic COVID-19 wastewater testing at campus residence halls.
We learned on Friday evening that a wastewater sample from Brooks House has tested positive for the presence of COVID-19 virus. You may recall that we had a positive result for wastewater in Brooks earlier this term, but since we have received two negative wastewater results for Brooks House since then, this new positive result means that we need to follow preventive protocols again to be safe.
All Brooks residents were asked late Friday to go into a modified quarantine. This means students must stay in their rooms except to go to the restroom and to go to the dining hall to pick up a grab-and-go meal. When they leave their rooms, they must wear a mask and must strictly observe the six-foot physical distancing rule at all times. Students will have to take their classes remotely until they are released from modified quarantine.
All Brooks residents will be tested for COVID-19 on Monday, October 5, along with all staff members who work in Brooks. Those affected will receive detailed information about sign-up times for testing.
Affected students must quarantine until they have been notified by the Broad Institute of their personal negative test result. Accordingly, members of Brooks College House who are not currently in residence will not be allowed to visit the house during this time.
I know this is difficult news for everyone on campus and especially for our students in Brooks, who will be observing modified quarantine for the second time. We are grateful for their cooperation.
This process of testing and quarantine is part of how we keep our community safe and functioning. The common sense protocols that are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 remain critically important: wash your hands, wear a mask, and maintain a physical distance of six feet. We appreciate everyone’s conscientious and ongoing observance of these important precautionary measures. It isn’t easy, but it is working, and our combined efforts will help keep each individual and the whole community safe.
Deb Moriarty
Interim Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs