Weekly COVID-19 Briefing 10/30/2020

COVID Surging in Greater Boston   

It is now more important than ever to practice our COVID-19 protocols.  New COVID cases in Massachusetts have been reaching over 1,000 cases a day, compared to around 200 a day back when we started the semester.  Nearly every municipality surrounding Quincy has been designated a high risk zone and Quincy’s number are continuing to rise.   

Here are three reasons to exercise caution and keep practicing those protocols: 

1. Cases have risen dramatically for those 30 years old and younger.  This is due in large part because this demographic is most likely to gather in larger groups and disregard COVID prevention protocols.
2. People with mild to no symptoms are the greatest super-spreaders because they may not realize they have COVID.
3. Contracting COVID or coming in contact with someone with COVID can adversely affect your end of semester plans.  Active cases or those quarantined for contact with an active case may be prevented from traveling until have an isolation or quarantine period of up-to 14 days.

What can you do to stay healthy? 

1. Keep practicing the protocols of mask wearing, social distancing, and hand washing.
2. Make and keep your surveillance testing appointments.
3. Avoid unnecessary travel outside of Quincy.
4. Avoid large group gatherings especially those where people are not observing mask wearing or social distancing.

Symptom, Support, and On-duty Nurse 

Due to the increased campus needs related to COVID-19, Health Services has put in place a process and additional nursing staff to receive and respond to issues related to potential COVID-19 symptoms and CoVerified restrictions. There is one dedicated line that the on-duty nurse monitors.  

  Students should call 617-745-3777 to receive instructions and request a consultation. 

Instructions for Students: 

• Call the On-Duty Nurse Line and leave your first/last name and a callback number.
• Stay in your room (except to go to the restroom).
• Even if you are restricted because you accidentally submitted a symptom, you must still call the On-Duty Nurse Line for assistance, but you may leave your room. 

Instead of emailing or calling Health Services for potential COVID-19 symptoms or CoVerified restrictions, please follow the instructions above. Thank you for your cooperation. 

End of Term Information 

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Remember that in-person learning ends Tuesday, November 24th.  Residential students may leave for winter break at that time.  If residential students need to stay on campus past the 24th, they can apply for extended housing through December 4th by completing the Extended Stay Form.  More detailed information has been sent to residential students via email from Residential Life and Housing. Check your email for all the information.   

COVID Resource Hub 

Have questions about campus COVID protocols? Wonder what isolation or quarantine housing involves?  Have questions about testing?  You are in luck!  We have created a COVID Info Student Center on SharePoint.  Click the link below an peruse all the latest information. https://encedu.sharepoint.com/sites/COVIDCenter-ENC 

Testing Update 

The Testing Center expects to be open all four days this week (Monday-Thursday). 

To view the status of testing and recovery please visit the testing dash board at: https://enc.edu/covid-19-information/

The dash board is updated every Friday by 5 PM. 

Travel Restrictions Still in Place  

Remember (students and employees) you should eliminate non-essential travel to high-risk states and international locations in compliance with the Governor’s Travel Order.   

If you must travel to a high-risk state, you must notify residence life (complete the Travel Form – if a campus resident, including Young and Munro GAs and renters) or your supervisor (if an employee) of your trip so a re-entry plan can be established that complies with the Massachusetts Order.   

Please note that a re-entry plan must be established prior to departure.  If you do not have a re-entry plan established, do not return to campus and contact Health Services during regular business hours Monday-Friday at (617) 745-3893 to arrange your re-entry.  

Not complying with the Massachusetts Travel Order could result in a $500 fine. 

Online Resources 

The College continues to maintain an active website with timely information related to COVID-19 and institutional response.  This informative site can be found at: https://enc.edu/covid-19-information/

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire ENC family around the world as we navigate these trying times.  We are grateful for a God who is present in our daily lives and who demonstrates to us how to love and live. 

Blessings to you on behalf of the Emergency Response Team,

Jeffrey Kirksey 
Vice President for Student Life and Campus Services
 
23 East Elm Avenue
Quincy, MA 02170-2999
www.enc.edu
617-745-3718