Dear Campus Community,
This week, we have had one confirmed case of COVID-19 on our campus in the student body. That individual is isolating off campus, is being monitored closely, and is doing well. A close contact of the student who has COVID-19 virus only symptoms is now considered a “presumptive positive,” which resulted in a second round of contact tracing yesterday. Contact tracing has occurred rapidly, resulting in PCR tests and the quarantine of approximately 14 students at Blue Ridge another 9 who chose to quarantine off campus. In accordance with CDC guidelines and Buncombe County, we adhere to the following protocol in response to a positive or presumptive positive case:
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Close contacts (less than six feet apart whether masked or not for a total of 15 minutes) with a known positive individual need to quarantine for a minimum of 10 days and be given a PCR test.
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People who were in close contact with a close contact (and NOT the COVID-19 positive individual) do NOT meet this definition and won’t be asked to quarantine.
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Contact tracing is being conducted by employees who have been trained to do contact tracing. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Contact-Tracing
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Students are given the choice to quarantine at an off campus location of their choice or in our quarantine and isolation facility at Blue Ridge Assembly
Given the rate of infection in the country, it is not surprising that we have a positive case. However, our protocols are followed quickly and thoroughly, and we are in contact with the county and health professionals at all times.
REMEMBER, following the 3Ws is as effective as a moderately effective vaccine. Additionally, the other guidelines are very important for limiting spread:
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Students need to strictly adhere to their covid “bubble,” especially now that more contagious strains of coronavirus have been identified.
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NO off campus guests are allowed in the residence halls for any reason.
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Faculty and staff who experience symptoms should notify HR and their health care provider, stay home, get tested, and quarantine at home for a minimum of 10 days.
An outbreak is defined as a cluster of 5 or more cases at once. At this time, we do not have an outbreak. We are maintaining our COVID-19 dashboard for up to date information. Faculty and staff who would like to help Student Life support our students at Blue Ridge should contact CJ Johnson at [email protected].
In community,
President Lynn Morton and the COVID-19 Response Team