Click here for all COVID-19, Coronavirus updates.
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 Dec. 7
- Get tested before you head away!
- 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
Testing Results for Dec. 7
We held a coronavirus testing clinic on Tuesday, Dec. 7. We had 52 tests with one positive result.
If you haven’t been following the news, virus rates are increasing all across the country, including in North Carolina and Guilford County. Despite the relaxation of mask mandates for the county (we still have a mask mandate for campus), we strongly encourage community members to continue to wear masks when in public outside of campus. Vaccinations and mask wearing are two of the best ways to keep yourself and our community safe.
Encouragement to Test Before Heading Away for Winter Break
We will hold our final PCR testing clinic for the semester on Tuesday, Dec. 14, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. in the Carnegie Room of Hege Library. We strongly encourage all individuals who are heading away for winter break to be tested next week. This will help to confirm that you are not transporting the coronavirus from campus to your destination.
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
FACULTY AND STAFF
We will issue our next (and final report for the semester) on Dec. 16. Have a great week, Guilford!
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