Campus Update – Matrix Scoring, Community Expectations

Based on our continued commitment to protecting our community, we have reduced our campus risk level again this past week with a 47% decrease in new cases and a positivity rate of less than 1%. The total campus community vaccination rate has now reached 74% with employees at 82%. However, we are continuing with no change in Community Expectations due to the high transmission rate and positivity rate above five percent in Pitt County. In addition, the CDC Covid Data Tracker still identifies Pitt County as an area of high community transmission recommending wearing masks indoors.

Unfortunately, about 28% (308) of our unvaccinated students failed to get tested within the prescribed timeframe. Campus transmissibility has improved but remains high with nearly 59% of new cases on campus not linked epidemiologically to known cases. Finally, the Vidant Medical Center (VMC) capacity remains a concern based on available beds, staffing and emergency department wait times.

Students who have not provided documentation of testing at all this semester were notified last Friday and again this week that their PirateID will be deactivated if they do not take action by 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. If deactivated, they will be unable to access their email, Canvas or any other system requiring their university PirateID. To avoid deactivation, these students can meet the testing requirements by PCR testing at the Mako Clinic on campus or an outside facility and uploading documentation to their MyPirateChart. They can also meet the requirements by providing proof of immunity status through MyPirateChart upload of a completed vaccination card or record of COVID-19 diagnosis in the past 90 days.

Despite the improving data, our local community is still at considerable risk of community transmission so we must continue our efforts to protect our campus and community. 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 our progress together as One ECU.

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