After conducting mass testing at the start of the semester, the University of Idaho reported five consecutive weeks of 1.80% or less in positive COVID-19 results from students and employees, according to its case count page.
The university tested 529 people last week, yielding a positivity rate of 1.13%. Since Jan. 1, over 7,122 tests have been returned, with 121 of those being positive.
“We continue to have no cases of COVID-19 traced to a classroom,” UI President Scott Green stated in an email Feb. 8. “Even if you receive the vaccine or have previously tested positive for the virus, the expectation remains the same, that we look out for each other until the threat has passed.”
After Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s announcement last week that moved the state into Stage 3 of the Idaho Rebounds plan, Green said UI is reevaluating many decisions for spring events.
Following Spring Break, classes will begin on Monday in the format indicated on the course catalog. The university will complete a COVID-19 retest of all students attending class in-person once they return from the break in March. However, those who have previously tested positive or completed vaccination will not be required to test.
“Our testing capacity can handle the volume of students returning from Spring Break in a matter of days,” Green stated. “We are confident this plan can be executed without the need to move to online-only instruction.”
UI encourages those traveling for the break to remain committed to the Healthy Vandal Pledge and maintain healthy habits while away from the Moscow campus.
Residence Halls and most Greek chapter houses will be open during Spring Break and some activities will be available for those choosing to remain on campus.
The university is also awaiting reports from its partners at Gritman Medical Center and Idaho Public Health regarding the administration of vaccines and whether front-line faculty and staff will be included in earlier stages of the vaccination rollout as K-12 teachers and staff are.
“While we recognize the importance of vaccinating those most at risk first and getting as many people as possible vaccinated in an orderly fashion, there is no doubt that vaccinating those in our classrooms and interacting directly with the public is important to controlling the spread of the virus,” Green stated in the email.
Plans for in person commencement ceremonies in May are still in place, although it depends greatly on the protocols of the reopening stage of the state at the time.
More information on Spring 2021 commencement will become available as decisions are finalized.
Angela Palermo can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @apalermotweets