Covid Cases Surpass 25
COVID-19 Cases on Campus Surpass 25. Graphic By: Greta Stuckey '23
Heading into October, the college is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases which have already surpassed 25. As a result of the pandemic, Marist will also be requiring students to get their flu shot and upload their proof of vaccination by January 14.
“The Marist community is highly vaccinated, and any exempted individuals must adhere to our mandatory surveillance testing program,” the Executive Vice President’s Office said. “As you know the best way to prevent serious illness is through vaccination, which is why it is the foundation of our approach.”
Currently, 95.7% of the Marist campus is vaccinated against COVID-19. As of September 21, there are 26 total active COVID-19 cases on campus, 23 of them being students and three of them being faculty. If students are experiencing symptoms, they are advised to report to Health Services on campus.
“Health Services supervises all student cases requiring isolation or quarantine, and provides testing for symptomatic students,” according to the Marist dashboard. “All students requiring isolation or quarantine must do so at home or other appropriate off-campus facilities.”
Students who test positive for COVID-19 must either go home or find their own isolation space off campus. Unlike the last academic year, Marist is not using Conklin Hall at Dutchess Community College as a quarantine or isolation space for students. For students who test positive, the college suggests reaching out to Advising & Academic Services to stay on track for academic requirements.
“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.”
In the broader Dutchess County area, approximately 58% of residents have reached a full vaccination status against COVID-19. Dutchess County has 659 active COVID-19 cases as of September 21 and is considered an area of high transmission.
Similar to last fall, students are required to get the flu vaccine with the hope of limiting the spread of influenza and COVID-19 as the 2021 flu season approaches. Marist is holding a flu vaccine pop-up in partnership with Rite Aid every Wednesday from 11:00am-2:00pm outside Marian Hall.
The vaccine pop-up will run from September 15 to November 17 and students who receive their flu shot there 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.
“We know that this semester will be a dynamic and fulfilling one as we live with what we hope is the trailing edge of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Executive President’s Office said. “You can rest assured that the Marist community is doing everything we can to provide our students and families with the complete Marist College experience while prioritizing health and safety.”