COVID-Related Updates for This Week

Rockhurst Student, Faculty and Staff Companions, 

We hope that you are all getting back into the swing of things, readjusting to campus life and enjoying some of the opportunities – live and virtual – for enjoying each other’s company. Today we’re sharing this week’s numbers, a few reminders, more vaccination information and Super Bowl celebration guidance.

Important Reminders 

• We are excited to see our Kansas City Chiefs in back-to-back Super Bowls! At the same time, Dr. Anthony Fauci issued a warning to all Americans this week that the Super Bowl poses a national health risk this year. We are concerned that this is doubly true for the cities of the teams playing.  As such, we are asking students to do the following, which is good advice for all of us:

o          Avoid gatherings of more than 10 people

o          Wear a mask properly if you are around anyone outside of your housing unit

o          Maintain social distancing at all times

o          Avoid community food and drink options.  

We are confident that if all of us do our part, we can continue on the positive trajectory we started the semester.  We are encouraging you to watch the Super Bowl from the comfort of your own residence and with only your room/house mates.

• To be effective, face masks must cover the nose and mouth. Learn more about how to properly wear and care for your face mask by watching the helpful videos on our YouTube channel. Remember that everyone is required to wear a correctly positioned face mask on campus while indoors or while outdoors if unable to observe a physical distance of six feet.
• 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.

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. 
• 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. Register at all the places you are eligible, including Jackson County, Mo., the Kansas City, Mo., Health Department (you may need to try this link several times due to high volume) and State of Missouri mass vaccination events.
• 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. 

Overall, our community cases have decreased in most categories across all populations. For undergraduate students on the Troost campus there were four active COVID cases, down from eight last week, and 16 quarantined cases, down from 34 last week.  Westport campus undergraduate student cases remain low, but increased slightly compared to last week. Faculty and staff cases remain low on both the Troost and Westport campuses.

As of Feb. 2  

*Two 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 

Thank you for working to keep our campus and community safe! Go, Hawks, and Go, Chiefs!

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