Below is an email from the COVID-19 Task Force informing the university community of two positive COVID-19 cases on campus:

Dear Members of the University Community,

We are writing to inform you that two University of New Haven students, one residential student and one commuter student, have tested positive this week for COVID-19. These students have been isolated and their close contacts have been quarantined, per the University’s quarantine and isolation guidelines.

We understand that this development may be unsettling. We should emphasize, though, that the University has been planning extensively to help mitigate the threat of the potential spread of COVID-19. Our priority continues to be ensuring the safety and well-being of the University community. We identified these cases and isolated them quickly.

This is a sign that our public health monitoring and procedures are working effectively, and it reiterates how important compliance is for our entire University community. Since August 17, we have tested more than 4,500 individuals on our campus and have had only four positive cases reported to the University.

In order to protect our students’ privacy, we are unable to share personal details about the impacted individuals. If you have not been contacted by a University or City of West Haven contact tracer, then you are not a contact for these individuals. No additional action is required at this time.

We will provide updates and communicate in the future as is necessary. Moving forward, any new cases will be added to the COVID Dashboard as they occur. When new data is added to the Dashboard, we’ll publish with “Updated on” dates, so you should check the dashboard regularly throughout the semester.

Those with questions or concerns or who are seeking additional guidance are encouraged to contact the COVID Task Force at [email protected].

We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the following precautions to help protect yourself:

· Wear face coverings at all times in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors.

· Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer

· Cough and sneeze into your elbow, and wash your hands after using tissues

· Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth, and eyes if you have not washed your hands

· Practice social distancing by providing six feet of personal space. The University is closely monitoring all on- and off campus gatherings to ensure compliance.

· Clean and disinfect shared objects and surfaces.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms and are feeling unwell, you should:

· Self-isolate if you feel ill and monitor your symptoms.

· Report symptoms in CoVerified and then call Health Services at 203-932-7079. After hours, call the Yale New Haven Health System COVID-19 Call Center at 833-ASK-YNHH (833-275-9644).

· Once you are tested, you should isolate while you wait for rest results to be returned. All information related to testing or symptoms should be immediately reported to the COVID Task Force.

Please continue to follow the comprehensive public health guidelines that are in place. Your vigilance is key to preventing and containing outbreaks on our campus and keeping our University community healthy and safe.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we navigate this challenging and ever-evolving situation.

Best,

Summer McGee, Ph.D., CPH

Dean, School of School of Health Sciences

COVID-19 Coordinator

Ronald M. Quagliani, M.S.

Associate Vice President, Public Safety