I share this message with you today to provide an important update regarding the status of COVID-19 on our campus. Since our return from Thanksgiving Break on Monday, November 29, our campus has witnessed a notable uptick in confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. This increase also correlates with an elevated trend of positive cases throughout our local Tompkins County area. At this time, our analysis of the data attributes much of this increase to travel associated with the holiday break. However, this increased prevalence of COVID-19 on campus does raise our risk for potential IC community spread. Although analysis is still ongoing, it is important to note that there is no indication at this time that this increase in cases is being driven by the recently designated Omicron variant of the virus.
To date, most of our positive cases have been characterized by mild symptoms and we have seen limited incidence of severe illness. Primary symptoms have included: fever, chills, sore throat, cough, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, sinus congestion, nausea, diarrhea, and new loss of taste or smell.
As I share this message with you, our COVID-19 operational status remains Green: Lower Risk. However, as we continue to monitor the developing situation, there may be a need to shift our operational status if case numbers continue to rise at their current pace. As we reach the conclusion of the Fall 2021 semester, it is extremely important that we all exercise a heightened level of awareness and caution to help mitigate the potential for additional spread of the virus in our campus community.
Good Public Health Practices
In an effort to limit the potential for additional spread, I urge the members of our campus community to bring a renewed commitment to the good public health practices that have allowed us to enjoy a successful full reopening of our campus this fall. This includes: proper use of face coverings (covering both the nose and mouth), physical distancing when possible, good hand hygiene, and exercising a heightened awareness of your physical condition and any symptoms of illness you may be experiencing.
In addition to these common practices, I also ask that our campus community bring a heightened level of care to their actions and interactions over the coming days. While in-person classes and events are still ongoing in conjunction with our “Green” operational status, please DO NOT attend in-person events if you are ill. Complete your daily health screening each day to determine if you should be interacting with the campus community. If you are experiencing any symptoms (even minor) it is very important that you get tested! Students should be asked to display a current, green IC Health Badge before entering classrooms, events, or other locations on campus.
Additionally, I ask that individuals refrain from participating in large, unstructured social events where the public health practices outlined above are not being followed.
Travel and Visitors
At this time, Ithaca College is NOT adding restrictions to its travel and visitor guidelines; however, we STRONGLY DISCOURAGE any unnecessary travel to and from campus by members of our campus community, as well as by outside visitors, as we finish the semester in order to limit the potential for additional spread. If it is imperative that you travel between now and winter break or must have visitors on campus, please ensure that special care is taken to adhere to all public health policies and protocols outlined on the COVID Health and Safety website.
Testing
If you are a student actively experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it is extremely important that you limit your interactions with others and plan to get tested. The Emerson Hall testing site is open seven days a week between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and is the primary location for students to be tested if they are experiencing symptoms. If you are a student who has additional questions regarding testing, please visit the Hammond Health Center webpage for more information.
Employees who are actively experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to seek out local resources for testing including urgent care facilities, pharmacies, or the Cayuga Health System mall testing site.
We continue to encourage asymptomatic faculty, staff, and students to participate in regular surveillance testing by submitting a saliva sample at the various blue drop-off bins located at the following locations: Campus Center Lobby, A&E Center Lobby, Peggy Ryan Williams Center Lobby, Farm Pond Road (Employees Only). Please note that these bins should only be utilized if you are NOT actively experiencing symptoms and submissions should only be made during pick-up days on Monday-Thursday.
Vaccines and Boosters
Being vaccinated continues to be the best possible way to limit the chances of contracting severe illness as a result of COVID-19. Ithaca College continues to STRONGLY ENCOURAGE that individuals seek out vaccine opportunities, including obtaining a booster, if you have not already done so. On Monday, November 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an expansion of the eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses:
- Any individual 18+ who is more than six months removed from the final dose in their original Pfizer or Moderna vaccines series is now eligible to receive a booster dose.
- Any individual 18+ who is more than two months removed from their Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine is also eligible to receive a booster.
Ithaca College’s COVID-19 vaccine webpage is a great place to start to learn more about the vaccine and find resources for securing a vaccine appointment.
Thank you for your diligence and cooperation as we boost our efforts to limit the impact of COVID-19 on our campus. We will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any additional updates to the campus community as they become available.
Sincerely,
Samm Swarts
Assistant Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response