Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

I am writing to let you know that a Middlebury College employee reported testing positive for COVID-19. Our colleague is recuperating in isolation and is doing well. The Vermont Department of Health has completed contact tracing and determined there were no workplace or other campus exposures. As a result, transmission risk to students and coworkers is considered very low at this time.

Individuals who may have had peripheral contact with the employee will be included in the Targeted Dynamic Testing Clinic scheduled for Thursday, January 21. Invitations will be sent to those employees in addition to other groups of employees working on campus. Please note that receiving an invitation does not mean that you have been exposed.

Please respect this employee’s privacy and refrain from speculation about their identity.

Our COVID-19 Testing Dashboard will be updated today to reflect this new employee case.

Please continue to follow workplace safety measures, including routine use of face coverings, hand hygiene, daily symptom checks, and physical distancing, which all contribute to our success in preventing transmission on campus.

Any occurrence of a positive case in our community underscores the importance of following the core preventative practices that have resulted in a low prevalence on campus. Adhering to the College’s personal travel guidelines and state of Vermont quarantine requirements also limits any possible transmission. You can learn more about travel protocols at VT Cross State Travel.

Sincerely,

Mark Peluso

Chief Health Officer and College Physician