PORT Announcements announce-port@fandm.edu
Tue, Sep 29, 5:00 PM
F&M COVID-19 Alert Level as of September 29, 2020
F&M COVID-19 Update as of September 29, 2020
| Full-Time Students Total | 2261 |
| Students In-Residence or Commuting | 1460 |
| Surveillance Testing Round 2 – September 23, 2020 | # |
| Students With Test Results | 276 |
| Students With Positive Test Results | 3 |
| Percent of Positive Test Results | 1.09% |
| COVID-19 Indicator | # | As % of Students In-Residence or Commuting |
| In Quarantine* On Campus(at risk and waiting for test result) | 24 | 1.6% |
| In Isolation On Campus (positive test) | 3 | 0.2% |
| In Quarantine* at Home | 5 | 0.3% |
| In Isolation at Home (positive test) | 1 | 0.1% |
| In Hospital | 0 | 0.0% |
| Cumulative Positive Tests Since Arrival (Entry/Surveillance testing plus clinical work) | 15 | 0.7% |
| Current Active Cases of COVID-19(individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are still in isolation) | 4 | 0.3% |
*In Quarantine indicators include students who were identified as contacts in contact tracing or are symptomatic, but not confirmed positives.
Additional data, including entry testing, FPS testing, surveillance testing, and wastewater testing, is available in F&M’s COVID-19 Dashboard.
F&M COVID-19 Update Notes
- Of the 24 individuals in quarantine, 10 are in Schnader and 14 are in off-campus housing. The number of students in quarantine does not include the residents of Bonchek College House and Ware College House who are in a modified quarantine (see pandemic operations updates below).
Pandemic Operations Updates
- We have just identified a positive wastewater test for Ware College House (the test result was delayed due to an inadequate original sample). Per our protocol, all residents living in Ware are required to begin a modified quarantine. A modified quarantine requires that students study remotely and not leave their room except to use the bathroom or pick up grab-and-go food options from on-campus dining. We have worked quickly to arrange for a round of additional surveillance testing for affected individuals tomorrow, Sept. 30. For those affected, we have added frequently asked questions on modified quarantine to the quarantine and isolation section of the F&M pandemic operations website.
- We conducted a round of additional COVID-19 testing on Monday, Sept. 28 as a result of a positive wastewater test for Bonchek College House. All residents of Bonchek House are currently in a modified quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
- In the Sept. 28 additional COVID-19 testing, we also included students who live in a shared residential space which recently had a resident test positive, as well as all the members of an athletic team which recently had a member test positive. This was done out of an abundance of caution to minimize the chance of clusters developing.
- Surveillance testing of 276 students on Wednesday, Sept. 23 identified three positive cases of COVID-19. Two are asymptomatic and one is minimally symptomatic; all three are in isolation and doing well. Per protocol, the Student Wellness Center conducted contact tracing. Approximately 26 close contacts were identified and will remain in quarantine for 14 days and monitor their health for any symptoms of COVID-19. One close contact became symptomatic and tested positive for COVID-19 off campus. Two other close contacts are symptomatic and awaiting test results.
Campus Reminders
- Contact tracing at F&M is conducted by the Student Wellness Center under the direction of Dr. Amy Myers. Our procedures are informed by our consultants, who are keeping abreast of best practices as they unfold during the pandemic. In addition, Dr. Myers is in close and regular contact with the chief of infectious disease at LGH/Penn Medicine. Per their expertise, a close contact is someone who has been within 6 feet of an individual who tests positive or is under suspicion for COVID-19, for more than 10-15 minutes. If identified as a close contact, you will have to quarantine for 14 days. To prevent this inconvenience, please follow the mitigating behaviors: maintaining 6+ feet physical distance when around people, and mask wearing.
- If you feel ill or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please refer to the College’s protocol for students who think they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of, COVID-19. This protocol includes information on what to do if the Student Wellness Center is closed at the time you are experiencing symptoms.
- You can reserve tents for your outdoor campus gatherings. Please indicate the tent you would like to reserve when you register your event via the Student Event Registration (found on Inside F&M), and once your event is approved, the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership (OSEL) or Fraternity & Sorority Life will submit a reservation of the tent on your behalf.
- Regardless of whether or not you are coming to campus on a given day, please complete the daily health screening to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. F&M asks all students and employees learning or working on campus for the fall term to participate in this daily practice.
- The College strongly recommends that off-campus travel during the school year be undertaken only if absolutely necessary, and that students refrain from traveling outside of the Lancaster area. Please keep this in mind as we approach the brief break between Module 1 and Module 2.
- Updated information is always available for your convenience on the fall 2020 reopening plan website.