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May 7, 2021 – Threshold Action Level Update

Dear Whitman Community,

This is not the update I wanted to be writing the week before finals. We have another new positive case of COVID-19 in a Whitman student, discovered through our surveillance testing. While we will remain at Threshold Action Level 1: Low, we are clearly not done with COVID at Whitman. For three weeks in a row we have had new cases on campus, proving that the virus is in our community. And although each confirmed case may seem isolated, we know that these people were not spontaneously infected out of thin air; they were exposed by another person who may not have ever known they were carrying the virus. 

We have also seen a sharp increase in the number of students needing COVID tests or entering quarantine due to a close contact. Being in isolation or quarantine is a terrible way to spend the last week of classes and finals; seniors in isolation or quarantine will not be able to walk in Commencement. We urge you all to avoid being anyone’s close contact. Stay socially distanced and stay healthy!

Walla Walla County is also seeing an elevated number of cases and concerningly high  transmission rates. Whether you are on campus or off, following the social distancing guidelines set for the Whitman community remains the best way to avoid close contact with an infected person:

  • 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. Masks must be worn and 6 ft. of distance between participants must be maintained.
  • 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 must be worn and 6 ft. of distance between participants must be maintained.
  • 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.
  • Participate in assigned surveillance testing.
  • Complete the Daily Wellness Check.

Remember, vaccination plays an important role in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and is an essential factor in having a more normal campus life this summer and fall. Please complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting Form as soon as you have received all the required doses of your vaccine. If you have not yet begun the vaccination process, you can use the CDC’s online vaccine locator to find a location near you.

Best,
Peter Harvey
Coronavirus Task Force Chair

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