COVID-19 status update

Message sent on November 2, 2020

Dean Julie Ramsey informs the community of the current COVID-19 status on campus as of Monday, November 2, 2020.

Dear campus community:

I’m writing today to update you on our campus’s current COVID-19 status. For the second week in a row, we are pleased to report zero new cases of COVID-19.

However, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Reported infections, with significant increases among younger age groups, particularly 19-24 years old, as well as the number of current hospitalizations, have increased significantly over the past three weeks. Governor Wolf indicated “now is the time for all of us to double down on our efforts to keep ourselves and those around us safe." As cooler temperatures arrive and flu season approaches it is more important than ever to comply with health guidelines including physical distancing and wearing a mask. As you prepare to go home in three weeks, you should be especially vigilant so that you are not transmitting the virus to loved ones at home over the holidays.

This weekly update below is available via email and on the website every Monday and will outline our current status determined by our alert level, and any changes that are being made to campus operations given this information. If there is a sudden increase in cases that occurs between these updates, an emergency notification will be sent by the Department of Public Safety.

Current status as of 8:30 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2020

Category Details
Students tested as of 11/2/2020 808
Students tested who were negative as of 11/2/2020 808
* Students tested who were positive as of 11/2/2020 0
** Total number of employees who tested positive as of 11/2/2020 0

** Employees are required to alert Human Resources if they have tested positive for COVID-19.

Campus status as of 8:30 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2020

Category Details
Current alert level

Moderate

Number of students now in isolation on campus 0
Number of students now in quarantine on campus 13
Adams County information PA Department of Health, WellSpan Hospital

Cumulative student tests and results since August 5, 2020

Category Details
Total number of students who have been tested since 8/5/2020 11,985
Total number of students whose tests were negative since 8/5/2020 11,886
* Grand total number of students who had a positive test since 8/5/2020 99

* This number includes 6 students whose tests were initially reported as positive but had recovered from COVID-19; the very sensitive tests the College is using detected leftover viral fragments that are not infectious. This number also includes tests and results from the current week’s report.

For questions

If you have questions regarding this information, please email covidupdates@gettysburg.edu.

Dean Julie L. Ramsey, Ed.D.
Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students