87 Cases, Isolation space filling up, and testing equipment failures.
MTU Flex has posted its weekly update.
The current situation:
- Cases are approaching the highest they've ever been
- Nearly half of Campus isolation space is occupied
- Only 1/3rd of usual on-demand testing will be available this coming week
- Face-to-face instruction is still being conducted
Detected cases have risen from 59 last week, to 87 this week (14-day total) approaching the highest they've ever been on campus. The highest recorded was on September 17th, 2020 with 92 cases, shortly before the University went fully remote.
On-campus isolation space is currently at 45% capacity.
Due to "equipment issues", on-demand COVID-19 testing will not be available on campus Monday or Tuesday next week. Only Thursday, November 4th, from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (less than 3 hours) is expected to be available for testing all of next week.
There have been no changes to the Health and Safety Level on campus, remaining at Level Two; Face-to-face instruction for all classes and labs, with masks required for most indoor activities.
WE CANNOT CONTINUE WITH FULL IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS!
We are already at high risk of exhausting isolation space, testing has already been overwhelmed, and the disruption to the lives of those who contract COVID is far higher than the disruption of moving to hybrid or remote.
We have the choice to go to a higher safety level now, but that won't be a choice if action is not taken, and soon.