Campus Update – Matrix Scoring, Community Expectations
The University is now at an ELEVATED risk level with no changes to community expectations. Campus risk has been on the rise over the last 7-14 days due to daily increases in new cases on campus and hospitalizations at Vidant Medical Center. On-campus testing compliance also remains a concern. The CDC COVID Data Tracker continues to classify Pitt County and our campus as areas of substantial community transmission and recommends that everyone should wear a mask in public, indoor settings.
The campus positivity rate has increased but continues to stay well below 5%. Pitt County’s positivity rate has increased to 6%, while North Carolina’s positivity rate is above 7%. The total campus community vaccination rate has now reached 80% with 88% of employees attesting to being vaccinated.
On Dec. 1, the University moved to expand the coverage of the Federal Contractor vaccine mandate to include employees who work in connection with federal contracts or who work in the same location as employees working on federal contracts. (See Dec. 1 memo at Coronavirus News and Updates Archives | News Services | ECU) By Jan. 18, these affected employees must provide written documentation of being fully vaccinated, begin the process of being vaccinated, or request an exemption based on a medical disability or sincerely held religious belief. Please note that attestation or natural immunity (positive test within last 90 days) are not sufficient proof for this federal mandate. Affected employees were notified by ECU Human Resources on Dec. 2. In addition to this expanded mandate, we encourage all vaccinated faculty and staff to proactively submit proof of vaccination to covidvaccination@ecu.edu which is managed by ECU Human Resources. Information received via this email address is uploaded to the confidential medical portion of the employee’s personnel file and is treated in the same way as other confidential medical information (e.g., FMLA paperwork).
Campus and community data will be closely monitored for emerging trends as we enter the holiday and winter season. Vaccination remains our best defense against severe symptoms and hospitalization. Vaccine boosters are now widely available for those 18 or older and have received their second/final dose of Pfizer or Moderna more than six months ago or Johnson & Johnson more than two months ago.
In the past few weeks, Student Health Services has observed a sharp rise in seasonal flu cases. Even the seasonal flu can be severe, and sometimes deadly, so please continue to follow public health precautions. These precautions become even more important as we gather with friends and family to celebrate the holidays. Remember, the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID vaccine so consider getting both.
Please stay safe and finish strong this semester. GO PIRATES!
— Bill Koch, Associate Vice Chancellor, Campus Safety & Auxiliary Services, Co-Chair, COVID Coordination Committee