April 23, 2021 – Threshold Action Level Update

Dear Whitman community,

As I took a short stroll around campus yesterday afternoon, I saw many students out enjoying the sunshine and free time with friends. More than that, I noticed that everyone was properly wearing masks, an action that continues to prove its value as a way of preventing the spread of COVID-19 as we once again had no positive cases detected through our surveillance testing. Therefore, we will remain at Threshold Action Level 1: Low and continue with our current campus activities.

However, we did have a Whitman staff member develop COVID symptoms and test positive this week. We have completed all the necessary follow up steps with this person and notified any close contacts.

This sign of the ongoing presence of COVID-19 in our community is an important reminder that, while the ongoing vaccination efforts are a cause for hope, we cannot stop following the social distancing, masking and gathering guidelines that prevent transmission. As the Washington State Department of Health noted in a report yesterday, COVID-19 immunity is increasing but not at a significant enough rate to slow transmission. Both in Walla Walla and statewide, infection rates are climbing again, with particularly sharp increases and the highest case counts in people ages 10-49.

“Vaccination is working, but immunity isn’t high enough yet to combat increasing disease levels. All of us, including people who are fully vaccinated, need to keep taking steps to slow the spread while we vaccinate more people,” said Acting State Health Officer Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH in a press release yesterday. “Keep your social circles small and whenever you plan an activity with others, take it outside. Wear your mask every single time you're around others, indoors or outdoors. If you’ve gotten your vaccine, you still have a role to play – encourage and help people you know to get vaccinated.”

Remember that even if you are fully vaccinated you must continue to take part in our campus surveillance testing when you are assigned and following all our campus COVID guidelines:

Inter-campus visitors are allowed in residence halls (one visitor per room; visitors may not be in public spaces; visitors from off-campus are not allowed).
Students may gather outdoors on campus in groups of up to 15 people and indoors in groups of up to five people.
Student clubs and organizations may submit proposals to hold outdoor activities and gatherings of up to 15 people and indoors in groups of up to five people.
Off-campus residents may gather for indoor visits of up to a total of five people from two households and outdoor visits of up to 15 people from two households.
Masks are required in all public indoor and outdoor spaces unless alone in a residence hall room or office space.
People should maintain at least 6 ft. of distance between themselves and others, even in outdoor spaces.

Risky behavior by one person has the potential to impact the entire Whitman community. This weekend, stay safe and be responsible to help us all stay healthy for the final month of the spring semester.

Best,
Peter Harvey
Coronavirus Task Force Chair