Mar. 23: COVID-19 Update from Fr. John

Dear Members of the Stonehill Community,

I write to follow up on my message from last Friday regarding the recent increase in positive test results. We have been closely monitoring this upward trend and carefully following these cases.

I am thankful for our Testing Center contact tracing team, as due to their diligence, most of the new cases were associated to individuals already in quarantine. This critical work by our contact tracing team is taking place in conjunction with several campus partners, including our Residence Life staff, who are generously supporting students in isolation and quarantine while working closely with members of our Facilities and Operations staff.

I am also grateful to our students, faculty, and staff in complying with our COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. It is my hope that if we continue to work together, we can help lower our positivity rate over the coming days and weeks.

At this moment, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of physical distancing, being intentional with our interactions with one another, wearing masks when we are outside our rooms, and continuing to test regularly. Now more than ever, we need to prioritize our health and safety efforts if we are to continue with on-campus and in-person learning. We do this not only for our own well-being, but for the health and safety of one another.

As we approach April and the latter half of the semester, I thank you for all you have done in keeping our community together on-campus. Please be assured of my prayers as we approach these Holy days and let us continue to remember those who provide front-line care for our neighbors impacted by COVID-19.

Sincerely,

(Rev.) John Denning, C.S.C.
President