February 4, 2022 – COVID-19 Update

Dear Whitman community,

It has been a fairly encouraging week on the COVID-19 front as we see little evidence of COVID spread on campus and our community positivity rate is down so far this week. While we do not have any adjustments to our campus activities to announce today, I want to share just a brief update on our recent testing data as well as COVID-19 resources.

Final Baseline Testing Results
We closed baseline testing last week and received our final results earlier this week. Out of 3,733 samples processed over the four weeks, we ended with 54 positive cases.

Weekly Testing Results
Last week we confirmed 22 COVID-19 cases through symptomatic or close contact testing in addition to 6 positive baseline tests. Combined, this gave us a weekly community positivity rate of 1.28%, a low enough rate that we do not feel the need to implement surveillance testing of our campus community at this time. However, it remains essential that we maintain a robust testing protocol on campus. Testing is offered for anyone who has been a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or for people with symptoms of COVID-19; please remember that for the most accurate symptomatic testing results, the test should take place 24 hours after symptoms develop.

Students: Testing for students takes place Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the back door of Welty Student Health Center. Additionally, students who have COVID-19 symptoms during the weekend may call Campus Security at 509-527-5777 to request delivery of a home testing kit.
Employees can be tested during regular business hours by contacting Human Resources (hr@whitman.edu) to schedule an appointment.

For the period of Jan. 4–30, we have had a total of 110 positive COVID-19 cases for a cumulative community positivity rate of 5.17%. Almost all of these people are now recovered, and when it comes to isolation capacity we are in good shape, with just six students currently in isolation, five in Marcus House and one off campus.

More detailed COVID-19 testing data is maintained in our COVID-19 Dashboard for your reference.

COVID-19 Resource Scam Email
Today an email began reaching members of our campus community claiming that the “Employee Assistance Program” would be giving both employees and students $4,500 as a COVID-19 benefit. This is a scam email and if you receive it, please forward it to phishy@whitman.edu and then delete it from your inbox. Do not click the link in the email or respond to it with any personal details, including login information. Whitman’s employee assistance program is called Canopy and they do not offer employees or students any cash payments for COVID-19 support.

While national news about lower case and death rates is encouraging, the omicron surge is not over in Walla Walla, and households and unmasked social gatherings still play the primary role in spreading the coronavirus. Heading into this weekend, continue to make wise choices as you consider how you spend your free time and in choosing activities that will be restorative for your mental, emotional and physical health.

Best,
Peter

Peter Harvey
Chair, Coronavirus Task Force Chair