Dear Elmhurst University Community:
This is the weekly update from the COVID-19 Task Force.
It is hard to believe that we have passed the one-year mark for the COVID-19 pandemic. As a campus, we continue to demonstrate resilience and a determination to overcome this virus. The Task Force is so pleased to hear that many on our campus are receiving their first or second dose of the vaccine. As a reminder, Elmhurst University has not been contacted, nor do we anticipate being contacted, to serve as a host site for the vaccine. We encourage everyone to use the resources around them (Walgreens, CVS, Jewel-Osco, your doctor, and the DuPage County registration site).
The vaccine is definitely providing a glimmer of hope. We have months to go before enough people will have been fully vaccinated to change course. Right now, we need to continue to abide by the mask mandate in the State of Illinois. More importantly, the mask mandate for Elmhurst University has not changed. Masks must be worn in all University-owned and -operated facilities. If two or more people come together in an office, conference room, classroom, or any other physical space on campus, all participants must be wearing a mask even if they are fully vaccinated.
While we remain optimistic about the promise vaccines offer, we must continue to be vigilant in our precautions in order to give our community the best chance for combating viral spread.
- Testing
- March 10, 2021: 156 individuals tested using the saliva test, 0 positives
- March 10, 2021: 36 individuals tested using the PCR test, 0 positives
- March 12, 2021: 156 individuals tested using the saliva test, 0 positives
- March 15, 2021: 164 individuals tested using the saliva test, 1 positive
- March 17, 2021: 48 individuals tested using the PCR test, 1 positive
- March 17, 2021: 161 individuals tested using the saliva test, 0 positives
- Elmhurst University has provided more than 6,900 COVID-19 tests for faculty, staff, and students.
- Elmhurst University has received 232 reported positive cases of the virus from on-campus (46) and off-campus (186) testing since March 2020.
- We currently have one student in isolation on campus, as well as six students in quarantine on campus.
- Alert Status
- Elmhurst University remains in the Yellow Alert Level.
- The current positivity rate for DuPage County is 3.8%. This is an increase from 3.3% last week.
- The current positivity rate for Elmhurst University is 0.0068. This is down from 0.007 last week.
- Vaccines
- 3% of the population in DuPage County has received their first vaccine dose. This is up from 20.9% last week.
- 1% of the population in DuPage County has also received their second dose of the vaccine. This is up from 11.8% last week.
- Vaccine eligibility for DuPage County is currently in Phase 1B+, which includes people ages 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions.
- The COVID-19 Task Force remains encouraged to hear that some of our Bluejays have been fully vaccinated. Congratulations to all of our fully vaccinated campus community members.
- Additional information regarding the vaccine may be found here and on the University’s COVID-19 Updates page.
- 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 are successful in getting the vaccine.
- Food and Drink Reminder: Food and drink are not allowed in Founders Lounge until further notice. Additionally, food and drink are not allowed in the library, the lounge spaces in the residence halls, nor the lounges in Circle Hall.
- Today’s Feel-Good Song: “Give a Little,” Maggie Rogers
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