Current Status
Over the past two weeks, 11 on-campus students tested positive for COVID-19 and are now in isolation. Nine of these cases are connected, resulting from transmission during situations where individuals were not wearing masks and adhering to physical distancing protocols.
In addition, one employee reported a positive COVID-19 test result last week.
The Augsburg Response Team talks with each person who tests positive to identify any other individuals on campus with whom they had contact (as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health) to ensure those individuals quarantine as directed by MDH. Faculty who have in-person classes with students who test positive are also contacted, and we are pleased to find that masks and physical distancing have been consistently followed in the classrooms. For resident students, all roommates are contacted and those who had exposure to someone with the virus are quarantined.
All isolation and quarantine cases are reported, as required, to the Minnesota Department of Health.
What Happens Now?
With 11 cases over 14 days, Augsburg remains in the low transmission level as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health. However, given the number of students in quarantine, it is possible we will move into the moderate (1%-3%) transmission range once all the test results are received.
In large part, Augsburg has already been operating under the MDH guidelines for moderate-level transmission, and we will move forward adhering to the following practices:
- Public health protocols are required in public spaces across campus, including in classroom settings, study areas, work groups, events, and dining areas.
- Faculty are encouraged to have students show their daily CampusClear symptom screening app results as a check-in at the beginning of each class to ensure that everyone in attendance is symptom free, and to use assigned seating to facilitate contact tracing, should it be needed in the future.
- Faculty should be prepared to accommodate students who cannot be in class due to quarantine or isolation.
- Event size will remain limited to comply with MDH protocols for indoor and outdoor gatherings.
- Buildings are not open to the public. Fob access is limited to students, staff, and faculty.
- Departments should continue with remote work plans, where applicable, to reduce density on campus. This would also be an appropriate time for departments to consider modifications that would be implemented in the event that Augsburg moves to the “moderate” transmission level.
- Residence Life implemented a no guest policy earlier this year and, this past Friday, extended it for two weeks.
- Athletics will continue to convene in small pods, following mask and distancing requirements, and limiting teams to coach-supervised activities only.
It is important that we all remain vigilant over the next two weeks—reducing activity, maintaining distance, and consistently wearing masks—to minimize further spread of the virus. Thank you!