Update: Day 7 Test Results

Dear Middlebury Community,

I am writing with the latest update on our COVID-19 test results for students who arrived on August 28 and 29. Of the 1,143 tests taken, zero were positive; 1,138 were negative; and five individuals will be retested due to insufficient samples and a pending test.

In addition, there are a small number of individuals who will be retested this week either because of late arrivals or because they were unable to keep their appointments for various reasons. These individuals will remain in room quarantine until their repeat test is negative. We will begin our Targeted Dynamic Testing program of 750 individuals per week on Tuesday.

We continue to monitor two active cases—those individuals are in isolation housing, receiving meals and other support. Going forward, we will post the latest results on the COVID-19 Reporting Dashboard by noon each day that we receive results. 

While our Day 7 results are certainly encouraging, I want to emphasize again that the low prevalence of COVID-19 cases in our community so far is a credit to the strong compliance of our students with physical distancing, wearing face coverings, hand hygiene, and limiting gathering sizes, as well as to our no-visitor policy. As we prepare for the start of classes on Tuesday, and beyond, it is imperative that all of us continue these behaviors to protect our entire community of faculty, staff and students. 

This weekend we received reports from several other schools that have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks after large and moderately sized parties, drinking games, or the general relaxing of precautions. While the overwhelming majority of Middlebury students have complied with our health and safety protocols, the Office of Community Standards has also issued a number of sanctions for non-compliance, including several dismissals from campus. The success of our semester depends on everyone continuing to follow the strict guidelines of Phase 1 and remaining in campus quarantine at least through September 15.

As a reminder:

• Any student who is on campus or who is enrolled to study on campus and living off campus and is experiencing symptoms or who has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, should immediately call the Health Services nurse line at 802-443-3290 or after hours contact MiddTelehealth.

• Further instructions for students who feel sick and additional information on contact tracing are available in our Health FAQ.

• Any student who wishes to speak to Counseling Services may do so by calling 802-443-5141. 

If you have further questions, please refer to the College’s fall 2020–21 website, the Return to Campus Guide, and Announcements. You also may reach out to covidinfo@middlebury.edu.

 

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Sincerely,

Mark Peluso

Director of Health Services and College Physician