Covid Cases on Campus Follow National Trend
Similar to the rest of the United States, Marist has seen a drastic decrease in the number of positive COVID-19 cases since October. Since the pandemic began in 2020, the case numbers across the country have followed a two-month cycle of rising and falling.
During the last week in September, the campus surpassed 25 active Covid cases. Just two weeks later on October 18, the active number of cases dropped down to three. With two students and one employee currently infected with the virus, the campus Covid numbers represent an interesting trend happening in the U.S.
With 95.9% of the Marist community vaccinated against Covid, the college has an advantage over the country and other segments of the population with lower vaccination rates. Comparatively, About 68% of American adults are fully vaccinated, though rates vary widely from state to state. More than 900,000 shots are being administered each day which includes booster shots for those fully vaccinated and eligible.
Marist hit its highest number of positive cases for the fall semester on September 21 with 26. Similarly, the U.S. hit its highest number of positive cases over the past two months on September 14 with 152,696 cases.
Since the beginning of the fall semester, Marist has had a total of 90 positive Covid cases with 85 documented recoveries. The college has not released specific data on the vaccination status of those in the college community who contracted the virus.
“Our medical experts are working closely with the Dutchess County Department of Health to ensure we are making the best decisions for your health and safety,” the Executive President’s Office said. “We know that even with the extensive measures we have taken to keep the campus safe, COVID-19 infections will still occur.”
With the increase in vaccination rates, some areas of the country have become less strict on mask-wearing and socially distancing. Marist has returned to a more normal setting this semester which allows for in-person instruction and extracurricular activities such as sports, music and clubs. Scientists have not been able to determine the reasoning behind why Covid cases seem to rise and fall in two-month cycles.
Now, scientists and medical professionals are gearing up for the possible “twindemic” as the cold and flu season approaches. Marist students are required to get the flu vaccine this year in addition to their Covid vaccine to prevent the spread of both viruses on campus. The college is offering students and faculty free flu shots every Wednesday outside Marian Hall from 11am-2pm. The vaccination clinic will be available for the Marist community from September 15 to November 17.
Students who receive their flu shot at the Rite Aid clinic on campus will automatically have their proof uploaded to the Marist Health portal. Appointments are not necessary to attend the vaccine clinic, but students are encouraged to fill out an appointment time slot via the Rite-Aid scheduler.
If the two-month trend of Covid cases continues, the college and country will likely see a decrease in case numbers through October and November. The cases may begin to rise again toward the end of November, but Marist may avoid the height of the next Covid surge. Returning from Thanksgiving break, the college will have just three weeks on campus before starting its month-long winter break.
Despite the rising and falling case trend of Covid, Marist contained its surge of positive cases at the beginning of the fall semester. Thus far, the college has been able to avoid campus pauses and shutdowns allowing students and faculty to return to a more traditional college experience.
Four Week Trend of Covid Cases at Marist. Graphic by Greta Stuckey.