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Here is this week’s update regarding our ongoing College-wide efforts to safeguard the health of our community. Please read the full update for vital information on planning considerations for the spring 2021 semester, including mandatory testing and information on operational considerations.
COVID-19 Statistics
- Total Cases Since January 2021: 81
- Total Cases are all community members that have notified that they have tested positive, on or off campus.
- Active Cases on Campus: 26
- Active Cases are positive cases that have been on campus within the last 14 days.
- Students in Quarantine: 27
- Guilford College has not had any deaths or hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Testing
We held two testing clinics this week:
- Wednesday, Feb. 3
- Rapid Antigen Clinic
- 11 students tested
- 0 positive results
- Rapid Antigen Clinic
- Thursday, Feb. 4
- Standard PCR Clinic
- 249 community members volunteered to be tested
- Results pending; to be communicated this weekend. (If you need to access your individual test results, you can look those up at results.premedinc.com.)
- Standard PCR Clinic
Upcoming Mandatory COVID-19 Testing
In preparation for moving toward in-person classes and dining on Monday, Feb. 15, we are requiring any student, faculty, and staff member who will be back on campus next week to attend one of our mandatory COVID-19 testing clinics:
- Tuesday, Feb. 9, and Wednesday, Feb. 10
- 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed between noon and 1 for workers lunch break)
- Note new testing location: Alumni Gym; enter on parking lot side of the building.
Please sign up here for a testing time. You will click on the link and then click on an appointment time for Tuesday or Wednesday. Then click save.
Important Reminder: Please pre-register before you come to the testing site by texting the word COVID to 704.850.6996 or by going to www.starmed.care and clicking the "Register Now" button. Pre-registration takes about 5 minutes. You will need a photo ID and your medical insurance card to complete the registration. This PCR nasal test is free of charge, covered either by medical insurance or the CARES Act.
Planned Future Testing Events
- Tuesday, February 16 - 8am-3pm (Randomized and Volunteer Testing)
- Tuesday, February 23 - 8am-3pm (Randomized and Volunteer Testing)
Important News About Campus Operations
Earlier this week an announcement went out to faculty, staff, and students regarding the College operational plan for the next couple of weeks. Here is a summary of that email:
- We will continue to operate under Phase 2 of our Health and Safety COVID activity matrix through Feb. 14.
- CLASSES: All classes will continue exclusively online/remote-only through Feb. 14. On-campus instruction will resume on Monday, Feb. 15.
- DINING SERVICES: All meals will still be served on a to-go only basis through Sunday, Feb. 14. Dining facilities will re-open for in-person meals on Feb. 15.
- RESIDENCE HALLS: Students should continue to stay on campus and in their own rooms until safe gatherings in limited numbers can resume Feb. 15.
- COLLEGE FACULTY AND STAFF: All faculty and staff who are able to work remotely should continue to do so through Feb. 14. For any employee planning to return to campus for work beginning the week of Feb. 15, you will need to be tested on Feb. 9 or Feb. 10 (see above).
Super Safe Super Bowl
From our recent contact tracing efforts, we know that some of the surge of positive cases we have had on campus has been a result of gatherings and sporting event watch parties. With the Super Bowl taking place this weekend we must emphasize that we are in complete control of our actions. Our actions and decisions will have a direct effect on College operations. So please do your part and choose a safer way to enjoy the game. Here are some tips on how to enjoy the game while protecting yourself and others:
- Host a virtual Super Bowl watch party.
- Wear clothing or decorate your home with your favorite team’s logo or colors.
- Make appetizers or snacks with the people you live with to enjoy while watching the game and share the recipes with your friends and family.
- Start a text group with other fans to chat about the game while watching.
- As a reminder, we are still following North Carolina’s Modified Stay At Home Order that requires people to be at home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to last through at least Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021 at 5 p.m.
Please remain vigilant this next week and do everything you can to protect yourself and others while on campus. Please be on the lookout for our next weekly communication on Feb 12. Please remember that if you have any questions related to COVID-19 and our efforts to mitigate the pandemic on campus, you should call the COVID-19 Hotline at 336.316.2319. We are all in this together.