Boston College reported 23 undergraduate cases of COVID-19 out of 9,656 tests last week, a positivity rate of .24 percent, according to the University’s COVID-19 dashboard.
Forty-one undergraduate students were in isolation as of Friday, with 22 in isolation housing and 19 recovering at home.
There were fewer undergraduate cases than the previous week, when 38 undergraduates tested positive out of 13,923 undergraduate tests, a positivity rate of .27 percent.
Although BC inquired with the Commonwealth about acquiring vaccines for students, it does not appear that the state has plans to distribute vaccines to universities, Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Formation Tom Mogan said in an email to students on Friday.
“We strongly encourage you to pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the Commonwealth now and you will be alerted as to when you will be able to schedule an appointment at a mass vaccination site,” he wrote.
Students who are two weeks removed from their second Pfizer or Moderna shot, or from their dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, will not have to quarantine if they are contact traced, according to the email.
Vaccinated students who test positive for COVID-19, however, will still be placed in isolation, he wrote.
In the email, Mogan encouraged students to continue to adhere to University and public health COVID-19 protocols, especially those requiring masks.
“One area of particular concern has been the increasing disregard for mask-wearing in certain areas of campus, particularly Maloney Lawn,” he wrote. “Massachusetts continues to require everyone, including vaccinated individuals, to wear masks in all indoor and outdoor public settings, even if you are able to maintain six feet of physical distance.”
Mogan also reminded students that those who test positive for COVID-19 or get contact traced in the coming weeks may have to quarantine through finals, and for seniors, through their graduation activities.
“For all students, we want you to remain healthy to be able to perform well in your classes and on your finals, and avoid quarantine and/or isolation,” he wrote. “For students who make their home a distance from campus, the choices you make in the next few weeks may have an impact on your ability to travel home at the end of the semester.”
Featured Image by Nicole Vagra / Heights Staff
