Increase Testing and Vigilance Now
The following was sent to all students on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Please note the content on these pages and files is no longer being updated and may be out of date.
Friends,
We are sure you are aware, that despite more daily sunshine and joyful weather, the number of COVID cases in Boston are increasing. Public health officials are also reporting that we are seeing more COVID variants of concern throughout Massachusetts. Based upon the increases in cases and variants, we are urging you to increase your testing frequency.
Add one test onto your current COVID testing routine for the remainder of the month of April. An additional test will help detect cases sooner and mitigate a potential surge in our own community. (The sooner we detect positive cases the faster we can move individuals who test positive into environments where they can get needed medical attention and reduce transmission of the virus.)
A note about the upcoming long-weekend break. It’s still vital to limit our potential for transmission. With warmer weather and the upcoming long weekend, keep your personal gatherings and socializing small and move them outdoors. Given the current season of religious observances, holidays, and spring celebrations, it is difficult to refrain from visiting friends and family outside of your COVID household or pod. However, remember that engaging in this activity carries risk of transmitting COVID (even if you around others who have been vaccinated). Visiting with friends and family, done outdoors and, especially when indoors, with mask-wearing and physical distancing, can greatly reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
Finally, a shoutout, for your kindness, to all of you who have committed time and resources to help someone get vaccinated; and, to those of you who have been vaccinated or have started the process. Thank you.
Be well, stay well, and add your extra test today,
Judy Platt, MD
Director, Student Health Services
Kenneth Elmore
Associate Provost and Dean of Students