Marist College has administered over 1,000 COVID-19 tests in an attempt to quickly limit the spread of the virus from the surge of cases late last week. However, the college announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13, it would continue to place the campus on a precautionary pause until Friday, Oct. 16.

In an email to the student body, the Office of Student Affairs announced the college identified 27 cases, which the cases mostly originated at an off-campus event. As of Oct. 13, the Marist COVID-19 Dashboard reads that 26 students have tested positive and are quarantining off-campus. There are also three students who have tested positive and are in isolation on-campus.

Nine new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported on Oct. 8, which sent the total number of post-arrival cases to 17 this semester. Deborah Dicaprio, vice president of Student Affairs, said in an email to students that those nine cases were a result of an off-campus party that occurred the weekend of Oct. 3.

During Marist’s surveillance testing, multiple cases were also detected in the Fulton Townhouses. John Cordella, assistant director of Housing and Residential Life, said in an email to Fulton residents that the students who tested positive, as well as their close contacts, have been identified and are quarantining off-campus.

Out of extreme caution, the administration issued a temporary precautionary quarantine for the Fulton Townhouses (1-15) on Friday, Oct. 9. In the email to Fulton residents, no end for the quarantine was determined, as they continue to be in a lockdown as of Oct. 13. Students are required to remain in their townhouses, attend all of their classes virtually and if need dining services, must utilize the Grubhub app, until the restriction is lifted.

“It is worth noting that even with this recent outbreak, our post-arrival infection rate continues to be low (0.64%) and since the initial surge in cases late last week, our rate of positive cases has slowed,” the Office of Student Affairs notified students in an email.

The college is now classified under code yellow on its COVID-19 Dashboard. The level indicates the presence of the virus remains low but there is potential for an increase in transmission.

As the precautionary pause on campus continues, it requires all students to remain on campus and avoid non-essential travel. The initial pause began on Friday, Oct. 9.

The terms of the campus pause include holding classes remotely until Friday, Oct. 16, on-campus and off-campus gatherings, including parties are prohibited, athletic team practices are suspended, and the McCann Recreation center is closed. Students also must remain on-campus unless directed by Marist health professionals; including trips home, and all visitors, including parents and families are not allowed on campus.

“The actions of everyone in the Marist community have a direct impact on the college’s next steps; we urge you to be vigilant and recognize that COVID-19 still presents a serious threat to our campus and to the greater community,” the Office of Student affairs warned students. “Individual behavior will be a major determining factor in whether the pause is lifted on Saturday and in our ability to finish this semester in person.”

1,000 Students Tested as Campus Pause Continues

MARIST CIRCLE