Campus Update – Matrix Scoring, Community Expectations
The university remains at an ELEVATED risk despite significant improvements in our campus data and trends. Unfortunately, new cases, hospitalizations and positivity rates remain elevated in our local community. The CDC COVID Data Tracker continues to classify Pitt County as an area of high community transmission and recommends that everyone wear a mask in public, indoor settings.
Case rates are declining significantly on campus and beginning to improve in the local community. New student cases and total campus cases decreased 68% over the previous week. The average daily case rate has decreased each week from a high of 170 in the beginning of the semester to 15 new cases per day last week. Our campus positivity rate has declined week to week from more than 30% to 4% this past week. However, North Carolina and Pitt County positivity rates remain above 20%.
Hospitalizations peaked in North Carolina on Jan. 26 and have steadily declined since that time. Hospitalizations at Vidant Medical Center are now declining consistently each day. Though hospital numbers are improving, hospital capacity is still strained.
Vaccination numbers for Feb. 7 were corrected on our COVID Dashboard to reflect only students residing on campus or attending class or other events on campus. This impacted the total campus vaccination rate. Previous vaccination data in that category included students who are vaccinated but do not attend classes on campus this semester for example, distance education students.
Vaccination and boosters are strongly encouraged as our best defense against severe symptoms and hospitalization. The CDC and NCDHHS guidelines recommend wearing well-fitting, high-quality face coverings with two or more layers. Also, please stay home from work or class when sick. Students should fill out the COVID-19 Self Reporting Form in Pirate Port and notify their instructor; employees should notify their supervisor.
Please continue your inspiring commitment to keep yourselves and others safe and out of the hospital. This helps to lighten the burden on our health care heroes, and they recognize your support.
Stay strong together, PIRATES!
— Bill Koch, Associate Vice Chancellor, Campus Safety & Auxiliary Services, Co-Chair, COVID Coordination Committee