COVID-Related Updates for This Week

Rockhurst Student, Faculty and Staff Companions,

We want to begin this week’s update with heartfelt thanks and words of support for all the members of our Rockhurst University community – those who have had COVID-19 and recovered from it and those who have worked diligently to try to stop its spread. We know that, as the months wear on and we are heading into flu and cold-weather season, we’re all getting tired of the pandemic and being constantly mindful of it. We also know that this new reality is much harder for some than for others – faculty and staff who have children or elders to care for, students working in addition to attending class or who are unable to work, and those who have lost loved ones, to name a few. 

Please know that we hold each of you in our hearts as we sincerely ask for your assistance in remaining vigilant in helping to stop the spread of the virus. In today’s message, we have a few reminders and the updated case numbers for the past week.

Important Reminders

• In our weekly meetings with the Kansas City Health Department, they continue to express that you should avoid high-density and bar-like atmospheres such as those found in Kansas City’s entertainment districts because of the number of COVID cases that have been traced there. Visiting bars in general is considered to be a high-risk activity.
• Remember that if you socialize in someone else’s home, it is better to remain outside and keep the number of attendees low. If you are indoors, consider how long you are in the room with others and whether there are open windows and adequate airflow. You should wear a mask and remain at least six feet from others.

Why Should You Use Campus Clear?

• We don't want you to try to “manage” or “diagnose” any symptoms you may be experiencing on your own – this may not only create unnecessary risk for you, but also for other people.
• It is important not to minimize new symptoms that emerge for you — we would much rather have you over-report than under-report — Campus Clear helps you to figure out if and when to report.
• Failure to report positive COVID test results, COVID symptoms, or close contact with a COVID-positive person may lead to disciplinary action for students or employees, so Campus Clear helps to remind you to report if there is cause to report.

Positive and Quarantined Cases

We are currently Level 3 (Orange) out of four levels – Active cases on campus.  

In general, our numbers continue to be stable or decreasing across most categories and populations.   For undergraduate students on the Troost campus, the percent of active COVID cases has remained the same, at 0.7%, and the percent of quarantined cases has decreased from 1.8% to 0.8% over the past week. Graduate student numbers on the Troost campus remain stable and low, while the Westport campus reported one new active case. There was a slight increase in faculty and staff cases, with three new cases on the Troost campus and one new case on the Westport campus. 

As of Oct. 13  

*Six of the undergraduate positive cases are in University residential facilities. The number of beds available on campus for isolation is 46 and the number of occupied beds is five.

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

We’ve reached the middle of October and have a little more than one month to go before we complete our in-person instruction for the semester. Hang in there, look for creative and safe ways to socialize, and know that we appreciate your efforts!

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