Important COVID-19 Update

Saturday, September 5, 2020

Dear Albion Community,

Today, we were able to identify that one member of our community has tested positive for COVID-19 following our wastewater testing results earlier this week. 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 5000 test results, and identified a total of eight positive cases from our first date of testing. To date, our overall positive testing rate is 0.16%, and our population positive rate is 0.40%. This is significantly lower than the national rate (5.5%) and the rate for the state of Michigan (3.5%).

The Calhoun County Health Department is leading the contact tracing efforts which are currently underway. All close contacts with the individual will remain in quarantine for the next 14 days. During the contact tracing process over the next few days, the Calhoun County Health Department is requiring other members of the individual's fraternity to remain in quarantine until further guidance is provided. All residents of other fraternities have now been released from quarantine.

Following our public health protocols significantly limits the spread of COVID-19. We continue to see colleges and universities forced to move online every day because they were unable to control the spread of the virus on campus. Only YOU can keep Albion College and the City of Albion safe and protect our ability to offer in-person instruction.

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 that 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 continuing to come 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.

Office of the President

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