COVID-Related Updates for This Week

Rockhurst Student, Faculty and Staff Companions,

With our first two weeks of class nearly complete, we are heading into a much-welcomed long Labor Day weekend. Along with reporting this week’s COVID-positive numbers, we want to clarify information about our case management system in response to questions we have received and to share ideas from our community about how to celebrate the holiday with health and safety in mind.

An Important Reminder

In March, when we began to hear in earnest about the spread of COVID-19, you likely did not know anyone who had tested positive. Today, it is much more likely that you know someone who has COVID or has recovered from it. You may be told that a friend, one of your students or a family member has tested positive. Please remember to react with compassion rather than judgment for those who contract the virus. We can be exposed anywhere as we are going about routine activities and, for many, it is a very unpleasant illness. 

Labor Day Weekend

Public health experts expect outbreaks as we saw after Memorial Day and the Fourth of July after large gatherings and visits to bars. Kansas City medical professionals warn that our city is a designated hotspot and caution that we need to act wisely to ensure hospitals do not become overwhelmed. In addition, if you can avoid travel, please do so, and remember to practice healthy habits such as frequent hand washing, mask wearing and physical distancing and not attending gatherings with more than 10 people present. We suggest two videos from our Rockhurst community that offer ideas for ways to celebrate the holiday safely – one features students and staff, and one features graduate students. 

Campus Clear App

If you have not already done so, please download Campus Clear, available for free on both Android and iPhone phones and as a desktop application, and check your health daily. Students, faculty and staff will be required to complete a daily self-screening for symptoms and exposure before coming to campus. Those who are considered cleared will receive a green “fast pass” through the app, allowing them access to campus buildings. Those who receive a yellow screen should stay home and monitor symptoms with no need to complete an illness report yet. Those who receive a red screen should stay home and report their symptoms through the illness report form. Developers moved the app to a new server this week and you may have experienced problems, which should be resolved now.

Illness Reporting

If you have any of the following new or unexplained symptoms, you should self-quarantine and submit that information by completing this form. Do not include symptoms associated with known or previously diagnosed medical conditions.

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Fever (100.4 or greater)
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches/pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea
• New loss of taste or smell 

After you submit the form, you will be contacted by a member of our case management team to help guide you through your next steps.

Positive and Quarantined Cases

We are currently Level 3 (Orange) – Active cases on campus.

As of Sept. 1

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 total of 15 minutes or more; 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 again for all you are doing to help prevent the spread of COVID and to keep all Hawks healthy. We have much to be grateful for as we head into this holiday weekend, with manageable case numbers on our campus. We wish you a relaxing and safe holiday weekend.

Sincerely, 

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