November 18, 2021 Update: COVID-19
Thanksgiving Holiday Reminders–Requirement to Test After Break
Dear Students,
Our community has done an extraordinary job navigating a historic health crisis. Thanks to our individual and collective efforts, our campus has continued to sustain low case counts and lower overall COVID transmission than the surrounding community.
However, with the concerning increase in COVID-19 cases in Vermont, the landscape around us is changing. As we look to the holiday season, we want to provide a few COVID updates to help our community navigate this phase of the pandemic, including how we approach the upcoming holiday season, and additional information to support the health of our community.
PAY ATTENTION TO HOW YOU ARE FEELING
As a reminder, if you develop COVID-19 symptoms, including mild symptoms, you should remain home, in your room, isolated from other residence hall or apartment contacts. If you are living on campus, the Student Health Center requires that you be in touch to discuss any symptoms and to assure you have the information and resources to remain healthy. If you are living off campus and experiencing symptoms, please contact your primary care provider or the Student Health Center, depending on who you have identified for your local health care.
CAMPUS AND RESIDENCE HALL CLOSINGS
As a reminder, the College will be closed beginning Wednesday, November 24 and will reopen on Monday, November 29. Residence halls close Wednesday, November 24 at noon and will reopen on Sunday, November 28 at 8:00 AM.
COVID TESTING
All students are expected to be COVID tested between Monday, November 29 and Wednesday, December 1. All residential students are required to test, regardless of whether or not you travel over the break. The testing center located at Whiting Hall is open weekdays from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM for walk-in asymptomatic testing. Symptomatic testing is also available daily by appointment. Students with COVID symptoms should contact Health Services (healthservices@champlain.edu or 802.860.2711) for guidance.
HOLIDAY GATHERINGS & TRAVEL
Students are encouraged to find meaningful ways to connect with family and friends during the Thanksgiving break. At the same time, we need to continue to work together to keep our community healthy and safe, particularly given the increase in COVID cases in Vermont and beyond. Large gatherings and holiday travel entail risk for contracting COVID-19, the flu, and other illnesses, so it is important to follow basic health and safety precautions. The CDC has published some helpful tips on how to celebrate safely during the holiday season. Also, as a reminder, do not attend gatherings if you have COVID symptoms or are not feeling well.
BOOSTER SHOTS
We strongly encourage everyone to receive their COVID booster shot and we will likely require them in the near future as state and federal guidance evolves.
The FDA and CDC have endorsed and authorized booster shots for Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, including a mix and match strategy in which people fully immunized with one company’s vaccine can receive a different company’s vaccine for their booster shot.
The Vermont Department of Health website has more information on booster shots here, including how and where to get a booster shot in Vermont. If you completed your vaccination series with Pfizer or Moderna more than 6 months ago or Johnson & Johnson more than 2 months ago, please consider scheduling your booster vaccination ASAP.
If you have any questions about booster eligibility or how to get your booster in Vermont, please contact healthservices@champlain.edu.
Be well,
Susan Waryck
Dean of Students
