COVID-Related Updates for This Week

Rockhurst Student, Faculty and Staff Companions, 

Welcome back, Hawks! We are happy that you are here and ready to begin a new semester and a new calendar year! We started tracking COVID case numbers again last week, so with today’s report we are able to show a comparison. Please read the following information carefully.

Important Reminders 

• If you find out you are COVID positive or have been in close contact with a COVID-positive person, please submit the Illness and Exposure Reporting Form immediately.
• Students who help us prevent the spread of COVID-19 by utilizing the Campus Clear app every day will be entered in periodic $25 gift card drawings. A total of $300 in gift cards has already been awarded. For February, March and April, we will also award an iPad to the student who has most consistently used Campus Clear.
• Students, employees and guests must always wear their masks indoors unless they are eating or in their personal office or residential space. Masks are required for anyone using the MAC or Convocation Center (i.e., pick-up basketball games).
• If you need transportation for essential services such as grocery shopping or medical appointments, all RideKC regional transit services continue to offer free service. With their pandemic protocols in place, this provides an alternative to riding in a car with people outside of your household.

COVID Vaccinations

• If you receive a COVID vaccination, please notify the University after you receive the second dose by completing this COVID-19 vaccine form. 
• COVID vaccines are being rolled out by states on a prioritized basis. Rockhurst does not have plans to require vaccination at this time but does recommend that you get vaccinated when it is available to you if your health care provider advises you to do so.
• Be sure to check the health departments located in your city and county of residence to learn more about when you may be eligible to receive a vaccination. You may be able to complete a form indicating your interest and requesting notifications when updates or registration opportunities are available. A list of Kansas City-area health department links is available through Saint Luke’s health system.
• The CDC recommends that those who have been vaccinated still wear a mask and practice social distancing to ensure the safety of those who have not received a vaccine.

Positive and Quarantined Cases 

We are currently Level 3 (Orange) out of four levels, which simply means there is one or more active cases on campus. 

With the return of students to campus, the number of reported active and quarantined cases have increased. For undergraduate students on the Troost campus, there were eight active COVID cases, up from two last week, and 34 quarantined cases, up from two last week. The Westport campus reports no cases for either their undergraduate or graduate student population. For graduate students on the Troost campus, there are only two reported quarantined cases. Faculty and staff cases are low on both the Troost and Westport campuses.

As of Jan. 26  

*Four of the undergraduate positive cases are in University residential facilities. The number of beds available on campus for isolation is 45 and the number of occupied beds is one. 

Definitions 

• COVID Active: tested positive for COVID; isolated 
• Quarantined: had close contact with a COVID-positive person; possibly being tested 
• Close Contact: You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period; You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19; You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them); You shared eating or drinking utensils; They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you 

We are most appreciative of all you do to help keep our campus safe. With the new variants of the virus starting to spread throughout the country, it is still very important to practice all of the safety protocols, such as mask wearing, staying six feet from others, frequent hand washing and avoiding large crowds. Stay well and best wishes for a great semester!

Matthew D. Quick, Ph.D.   
Dean of Students/Vice President   
Student Development and Athletics   
   
Douglas N. Dunham, Ph.D.   
Provost and Senior Vice President   
Academic Affairs