Boston College continues to report a low positivity rate and steady progress in its efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus on campus.
At the end of its 13th week of testing (November 9-15), University Health Services reported 21 positive cases (including 20 undergrads) out of 8,954 tests conducted for a weekly positivity rate of 0.23%. The Massachusetts weekly positivity rate stands at 2.9%.
Currently, there are 29 BC undergraduates in isolation—24 in University isolation housing and five recovering at home. A total of 243 undergraduates have recovered and returned to normal activities.
Since testing began on August 16, University Health Services has conducted 97,451 tests of BC community members with a total of 286 positive cases reported. Among undergrads, UHS has conducted 71,926 tests with 272 positives. The University’s cumulative positivity rate stands at 0.29%. By comparison, Boston University has reported 348 total positive cases, University of Massachusetts-Amherst 284 cases, and Northeastern University 239. Providence College has reported 291 cases, and the University of Notre Dame 1,479.
Today (November 13) is the deadline by which students living on campus must inform the Office of Residential Life of their decision regarding Thanksgiving travel. Those who choose to stay at BC or elsewhere within the state of Massachusetts during the Thanksgiving break will be allowed to complete the semester on campus. Those choosing to leave the state to return home will complete their courses and finals remotely and will not be able to return to campus until the start of the spring semester.
Starting Monday, November 16, the University will test all undergraduates in advance of Thanksgiving travel.
Campus residence halls will close for the semester on the last day of exams, scheduled for December 21, and will reopen at the start of the second semester on January 28. All students, faculty, and staff who plan to be on campus during the spring semester must be tested before classes resume.
—University Communications | November 13, 2020