November 29 Weekly CIRT Campus Update
CIRT Update
Published November 29, 2021
Dear students, staff and faculty:
Below, please find important campus, regional and national updates from the COVID-19 Incident Response Team (CIRT).
Campus Status
Over the past seven days, there have been seven positive cases of COVID-19 reported through the on-campus campus screening program. For more data on the screening program, please visit Coronavirus Screening.
Emergent Omicron COVID-19 Variant
CIRT is tracking the science and reported data emerging around the Omicron COVID-19 variant and its potential impact on the Smith community. Most experts expect that there will be more information about Omicron in a couple of weeks, at which point we can further assess any necessary changes to our health and safety plans.
Students Are Required to Take a PCR Test Today or Tomorrow
All students must take a PCR test today, Monday, November 29, or tomorrow, Tuesday, November 30. To accommodate this requirement, the testing site at the Campus Center will be open today until 8 p.m. Test site hours on Tuesday are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. All students remain required to test twice the week of November 29 - December 3.
Adult Boosters Authorized; May be Required
The CDC and FDA have authorized adult COVID-19 booster shots for all adults. The college strongly encourages all students and employees to schedule a booster shot either locally or in their home communities. The college is considering requiring booster shots as part of its COVID-19 health and safety policies.
January Return-to-Campus Process and Interterm
Students will receive information shortly regarding the January return-to-campus process and Interterm policies. Students are asked not to make final travel arrangements for the beginning of the spring semester until the arrival plan is complete.
Preliminary guidance is that students should plan to arrive for the spring term no later than January 22, 2021, at 9.p.m. in order to test prior to the first day of classes.
Reminder: Next Community Meeting is December 8
As a reminder, the next all-community meeting will be held on December 8 at 12:30 p.m. A Google Calendar invitation will be forthcoming from CIRT-Info@smith.edu.
COVID-19 Incident Response Team (CIRT)
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