Oakland campus plans move to Guarded Risk on March 11

The Oakland campus will move from Elevated to Guarded Risk Posture starting at 7 a.m. March 11, assuming there are no significant changes in conditions, according to an announcement from the University on March 5.

The number of cases on campus have been relatively low since students began returning to Oakland residence halls on Jan. 29. As of March 1, there have been 74 students test positive; 24 remain in isolation.

A message from Student Affairs last week warned students to celebrate small with their pod or roommates this St. Patrick’s Day. It pointed to the spike in COVID-19 cases after Halloween weekend last year.

This decision to move to Guarded status, which is based on the recommendations of the Emergency Operations Center and the Healthcare Advisory Group, is dependent on continued low, stable case numbers and strong compliance with health and safety rules next week.

Guarded Risk allows for most instruction to be in person, except large lectures, and most activities are in person with virtual options and limited restrictions. Staff are still encouraged to work from home whenever possible

Many requirements remain in place in Guarded Risk posture, including:

  • Wearing face coverings, indoors and out, with very few exceptions.

  • Maintaining a proper physical distance of 6 feet or more from others.  

  • Washing or sanitizing hands frequently

  • Minimizing the number of close contacts outside of roommates, pods and households.

The Bradford, Johnstown and Titusville campuses remain at Elevated Risk, while Greensburg moved to Guarded Risk on Feb. 22.

— Susan Jones

 

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