Campus COVID cases decline

COVID cases on campus are on the decline.

There were around 30 cases per day when students first came back and now there are six per day on average, according to CSB/SJU COVID coordinator Casey Gordon.

When students came back to campus after winter break, COVID cases increased drastically compared to fall semester.

In the fall semester of 2021, there were 58 positive cases recorded on campus. Since students returned to campus this spring, there have been a recorded 387 positive cases.

On Jan. 21, an emailed update was sent out to students, faculty and parents. In this update, it was requested that all gatherings, meetings and events be moved to Zoom or pushed back through Jan. 31 to follow the school’s slow approach to getting back to in person events and school activities. The CSB/SJU Pandemic Planning Committee will continue to assess and monitor the situation as the spring semester progresses. Many meetings such as the student senate have been held over Zoom the past couple weeks to help slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

This week, testing will take place on both campuses. Students can get tested at the Haehn Campus Center at CSB or in Guild Hall at SJU. Both locations require appointments. Students are encouraged to get tested no matter the circumstance.

Students who are un-vaccinated or eligible for their booster, but have not gotten it yet are required to partake in this testing event. Around 400 students will be required to get tested, according to Gordon.

Many schools across the state,have also seen an increase in positive cases compared to last semester.

CSB/SJU had some of the lowest recorded COVID cases in fall semester of 2021. As of now, the schools are at the higher end of the spectrum when comparing the number of cases to other schools in Minnesota. When looking at the number of cases in spring semester, Gustavus had 267 positive cases, St. Olaf had 166, Carleton had 246 and St. Thomas had 206, according to Gordon.

Many students have expressed that in-person learning activities are far more beneficial and fun.

“In-person classes benefit me so much more as it is harder to get help over Zoom and have a good conversation with my professors and classmates. For me to do my best, I need to have my classes in person,” first-year Lauren Provancha said.

The CSB/SJU Pandemic Planning Committee will continue to update students, faculty and parents as the assessment of COVID across both campuses continues.

“We remain committed to a robust in-person experience for the spring semester. To do so requires the support and commitment of all members of our community,” the CSB/SJU Pandemic Planning Committee said.