December 6 Weekly CIRT Campus Update
CIRT Update
Published December 6, 2021
Dear students, staff and faculty:
Below, please find important campus, regional and national updates from the COVID-19 Incident Response Team (CIRT).
Campus Status
Over the past seven days, there have been seventeen positive cases of COVID-19 reported through the on-campus campus screening program This represents an uptick in the number of cases we’ve seen on campus through much of the semester. This is consistent with the increase in cases we are seeing across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in Hampshire County.
At present, we are not seeing any evidence of spread on campus either among employees or students.
We continue to contact trace all positive cases in consultation with the Northampton Health Department. For more data on the screening program, please visit Coronavirus Screening.
Minimizing Community Health Risk
Given the increase in COVID-19 cases both on- and off-campus, CIRT is strongly urging that students and employees exercise common sense when organizing or participating in gatherings (including meetings, events or holiday parties). Please reduce density where possible, and ensure masks are worn at all times in line with current policy. At events where eating and drinking is taking place, please remember to wear masks when not eating or drinking.
Employee Testing for Solstice Party
If you are planning to attend the employee Winter Solstice Party, please schedule a PCR test on Friday, December 10, to receive a negative result prior to attending the party on December 13. Staff who have already scheduled their PCR test this week should schedule a second test on Friday, December 10.
Booster Requirement Reminder
Smith College now requires all eligible students, staff and faculty to receive COVID-19 booster shots. For more information, please see this morning’s letter to campus.
January Return-to-Campus Process and Interterm
Students will receive information shortly regarding the January return-to-campus process and Interterm policies. Students are asked not to make final travel arrangements for the beginning of the spring semester until the arrival plan is complete.
Preliminary guidance is that students should plan to arrive for the spring term no later than January 22, 2021, at 9.p.m. in order to test prior to the first day of classes.
Reminder: Next Community Meeting is December 8
As a reminder, the next all-community meeting will be held on December 8 at 12:30 p.m at https://smith.zoom.us/j/93293837876.
COVID-19 Incident Response Team (CIRT)
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