Important COVID-19 Update

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Dear Albion Community,

Today, we learned that one new member of our community has tested positive for the virus. They are in isolation and remain in our thoughts as they focus on recovery. For more information on how, when, and to whom the college reports this data, and the actions we take in all positive test cases please see our Positive Test Response Protocol.

Albion College has now completed and received more than 4500 test results, and identified a total of seven positive cases from our first date of testing. To date, our overall positive testing rate is 0.15%, and our population positive rate is 0.35%. This is significantly lower than the national rate (5.7%) and the rate for the state of Michigan (3.27%).

As the individual who tested positive had already been moved to quarantine due to close contact with a prior positive case, there is no known exposure to other members of our community. Following our public health protocols significantly limits the spread of infection to others.

We must remain vigilant and continue to take responsibility for ourselves, for each other, and for our community. As a reminder:

• Wear your masks whenever outside your room. Your masks need to cover both your nose and mouth.
• Maintain at least six feet of physical distance between yourself and others. Note, every time you are within six feet of another person for more than 15 minutes, you are considered a close contact, and, should a person test positive for the virus, you will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
• Monitor your health and practice good personal hygiene, including regularly washing your hands.
• If you are feeling sick, stay in your room.

We look forward to coming together safely as a learning community in the weeks ahead. All of us must live the commitment we made, the Albion Community Commitment, in order to be successful. I am confident Brits can do this — and I look forward to a productive, fun, healthy and safe fall semester.

President Johnson

Note:
Testing percentage = % of total tests resulting in a positive.
Population percentage = % of population testing positive.