Dear Elmhurst University Community:
Happy New Year!
As anticipated, COVID-19 cases are rising across the country, in the state of Illinois, in DuPage County, and on campus, driven primarily by the surge of the Omicron variant. Many of the mitigation strategies we have in place remain the best way to stay healthy. With that in mind, please continue to follow guidelines.
- Wear a well-fitting mask (non-cloth masks, such as KN95 and surgical masks, are recommended) in all University-owned and -operated facilities. Your mask should cover both your nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly.
- Use hand sanitizer.
- When possible, socially distance from each other.
Here are the number of reported positive cases from the Fall Term, and since the end of the Fall Term:
Fall Term (August–December 23, 2021): 110
- August: 20
- September: 30
- October: 15
- November: 20
- December 1–23: 25
Since the end of Fall Term: 150
- December 24, 2021–December 31, 2021: 32
- January 1, 2022–present: 118
More Updates:
- If you are not vaccinated, you must get tested weekly.
- Rapid tests are available in the Faganel Lobby on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon–3:00 p.m.
- PCR tests are available every Wednesday during J-Term from noon–3:00 p.m. in the Faganel Lobby. You must register by 4:00 p.m. the day prior to PCR testing. Please submit your request only once, and make sure that all fields on the form are accurate and complete before sending. Weekly registration will be available for the next test date only. No registration is necessary for those who are required to test weekly.
- Elmhurst University is now following the 5-day isolation period that is recommended by the CDC for those who test positive. In general, the University will not require a negative test to return to the University unless you are directed to do so by your assigned contact tracer.
- If you have any symptoms or a fever, please stay home and remain home until you are symptom- and fever-free for at least 24 hours.
- Our contact tracers are very busy, as one can imagine. Please be patient with them as they are overloaded with cases. The goal of our contact tracers is to make contact within 24 hours of a report. If you test and report yourself as positive for COVID-19 or any variant, please self-isolate and limit exposure to other people until your contact tracer is able to speak with you and advise you on next steps.
- Contact covid19questions@elmhurst.edu with any questions.
Please be safe and stay healthy!
Bluejay Proud!
The COVID-19 Task Force