March 4, 2021, Task Force Update

March 4, 2021 | by the Elmhurst University COVID-19 Task Force

Dear Elmhurst University Community:

Today’s inspirational quote:

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today’s feel-good song:

Today’s song, “Good Day,” comes from rising country/pop star and former Bluejay Brett Eldredge.

  • Testing
    • February 26, 2021: 140 individuals tested using the saliva tests, 0 positives
    • February 28, 2021: 45 individuals tested using the PCR test, 0 positives
    • March 1, 2021: 229 individuals tested using the saliva tests, 0 positives
    • March 2, 2021: 42 individuals tested using the PCR test, 0 positives
    • March 3, 2021: 27 individuals tested using the PCR Test, 0 positives
    • March 3, 2021: 219 individuals tested using the saliva tests, 0 positives
    • Elmhurst University has provided more than 5,800 COVID-19 tests to faculty, staff, and students.
  • Alert Status
    • Elmhurst University remains at the Yellow Alert Level.
    • The current positivity rate for DuPage County is 3.7%. This is down from 4.4% last week.
    • The current positivity rate for Elmhurst University is 0.0075. This is down from 0.0085 last week.
  • Vaccines
    • 15.9% of the population in DuPage County have received their first vaccination dose. This is up from 12.7% last week.
    • 7.1% of the population in DuPage County have also received their second dose of the vaccination. This is up from 5.1% last week.
    • Vaccine eligibility for DuPage County –Illinois is currently in Phase 1B+ (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 received the vaccination. Congratulations to all who have received one or both doses to date.
    • If you have a picture of yourself receiving the vaccination, and would like to share it with the Task Force, we can make a nice video montage of individuals receiving the vaccine. Please send your picture (without your immunization card) to phil.riordan@elmhurst.edu.
  • The COVID-19 Task Force would like to give a big shout-out to our nursing students who are assisting DuPage County administer the vaccine. They have been our front-line heroes since we started testing for COVID-19 back in August. Here are some pictures of our students in action at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
  • 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, and the lounges in Circle Hall.

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

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