Dear Elmhurst University Community:
This is the weekly update from the COVID-19 Task Force.
The COVID-19 Task Force would like to thank the DuPage County Health Department, Edward-Elmhurst Hospital, Jewel, and Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church for the opportunity to get many faculty and staff vaccinated over the past month. Their generosity in reaching out to Elmhurst University is greatly appreciated. Many of you took advantage of the open time slots to get vaccinated. The Task Force could definitely sense the weight lifted from your shoulders in every message or phone call that was received expressing your gratitude.
As more and more individuals become vaccinated, please remember to wear your masks. Getting vaccinated and wearing your mask will get us to Phase 5 in the Restore Illinois Plan (back to normal). Let’s continue to work together as one team. We need to finish strong.
- Testing
- March 25, 2021: 143 individuals tested using the saliva test. 0 positive
- March 29, 2021: 156 individuals tested using the saliva test, 0 positive
- March 31, 2021: 136 individuals tested using the saliva test, 0 positive
- March 20–31, 2021: 65 individuals tested using the Rapid Tests, 0 positive
- April 5, 2021: 200 individuals tested using the saliva test, 2 positive
- April 6, 2021: 51 individuals tested using the PCR test, 0 positive
- April 7, 2021: 164 individuals tested using the saliva test, 0 positives
- Elmhurst University has provided more than 8,300 tests for faculty, staff, and students.
- Elmhurst University has received 256 reported positive cases of the virus from on-campus (50) and off-campus (206) testing since March 2020.
- To date, 232 students, 18 staff, and 6 faculty have tested positive since March 2020.
- 11 positive cases have been reported since spring break.
- Alert Status
- Elmhurst University remains in the Yellow Alert Level.
- The current positivity rate for DuPage County is 7.3%. This is an increase from 4.7% two weeks ago.
- The current positivity rate for Elmhurst University is 0.0060. This is down slightly from 0.0064 two weeks ago.
- Vaccines
- 36.0% of the population in DuPage County has received their first vaccine dose. This is up from 26.9% two weeks ago.
- 20.7% of the population in DuPage County has also received their second dose of the vaccine. This is up from 15.7% two weeks ago.
- Vaccine eligibility is currently in Phase 1C, Tier 2. This phase includes restaurant staff, construction workers, and religious leaders. Some counties have begun vaccinated individuals 16 and older.
- The COVID-19 Task Force remains encouraged to hear that some of our Bluejays have been fully vaccinated. Congratulations to all our fully vaccinated campus community members.
- Additional information regarding the vaccine may be found on the University’s COVID-19 Updates page. Additionally, the IDPH COVID-19 Vaccine page provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the vaccine.
- The Task Force is requesting that as individuals become fully vaccinated, they submit their name to Phil Riordan and/or Dr. Dean Pribbenow. No further information is needed other than your name. This is not mandatory. We are trying to get some idea if people have been successful in getting the vaccine.
- Today’s Inspirational Quote: “Hang in there, as better times are ahead.” — Steven Magee, a world-leading expert on radiation and human health.
- Today’s Feel-Good Song: I Smile, Kirk Franklin
As always, please be safe and healthy. Wear your face mask (double up on face masks for extra protection—the CDC says it can help better protect you). And let’s be kind to each other during these difficult times we live in.
Bluejay Proud,
The COVID-19 Task Force