Campus Update – Matrix Scoring, Community Expectations

Based on our continued efforts and progress as a campus community, our campus risk level continues to decline with more than a 50% decrease in new cases and a 1% positivity rate. However, we are continuing with no change in Community Expectations due to local community case rates in the moderate range and positivity rates above five percent.

Unfortunately, some employees and about one-third (358) of our unvaccinated students failed to get tested within the prescribed timeframe. Campus transmissibility remains high with nearly 82.6% of new cases on campus not linked epidemiologically to known cases. Finally, the Vidant Medical Center (VMC) capacity remains strained based on available beds, staffing and emergency department wait times.

The Pitt County community data continues to improve with reductions in new cases and positivity rate. However, the local community remains at elevated risk with a 7.7% positivity rate. The North Carolina positivity rate is now down to 6.1% with case rates and hospitalizations declining statewide. While VMC capacity is still strained, hospitalization case rates are now showing a consistent pattern of decline which is good progress.

The total campus community vaccination rate has now reached 73%. In addition, quarantine and isolation space availability has been 99% over the last seven days. Please continue to wear masks indoors, encourage friends and family to get vaccinated and complete the weekly testing as soon as possible after being notified.

Let’s continue to make progress together, encourage one another and finish strong. Go Pirates!

– Bill Koch, Associate Vice Chancellor, Campus Safety, Co-Chair, COVID Coordination Committee