COVID-19 Data
Our ability to come together for in-person instruction in a congregate-living environment depends on suppressing the spread of COVID-19 in our community. To do so, we made the decision to require COVID vaccinations for our student and employee populations.
As we begin 2022, we are pleased that the vast majority of our students and employees are fully vaccinated (93% of students and 95% of employees). Further, those who are eligible to receive the booster are required to do so.
Because of our continued progress and commitment toward a COVID-free campus, we are cautiously optimistic about suppressing the virus within our community. We will begin the spring semester with dashboard updates occurring weekly, on Mondays. We will consider changing the frequency if our data supports it.
estimated 1 Active
estimated
Updated 5/9/2022
Data represents all students, faculty, and staff, and includes results from screening testing, as well as on- and off-campus diagnostic student testing with results reported to the Health and Counseling Center. Also included are diagnostic employee tests conducted off-campus and reported to Human Resources. Student and employee numbers are collected daily, but reported weekly.
Results from testing and isolation/quarantine data from the previous week are reported weekly on Monday.
Screening tests of our unvaccinated student and employee populations are conducted weekly, in addition to NCAA-required screening tests of student athletes. The number of student diagnostic tests and the number of positive results are reported in the week the data become available. For each individual positive case, both an antigen test and a PCR could be administered. As a result, the total number of positive diagnostic tests is often greater than the number of positive cases. On-campus isolation/quarantine data represent students in the Mother Angela Care Center. Off-campus data represents students quarantining or isolating either at home or in off-campus housing. All employee diagnostic tests are conducted off campus, therefore not included in the dashboard.
Regional Data
Saint Mary’s is part of a broader community and as such offers the following links to regional data.
Key Terms
Isolation: For individuals with COVID-like symptoms or positive test results regardless of vaccination status. Please review complete isolation guidelines for students and employees on the Health and Safety Standards page.
Quarantine: For unvaccinated individuals with identified exposure to an infected individual. Please review complete quarantine guidelines for students and employees on the Health and Safety Standards page.
Exposure: Per guidelines from the CDC and St Joseph County Health Department, any individual who has been in close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with a person who was diagnosed or was likely to have COVID-19 is considered to have been exposed.
Diagnostic Testing: A diagnostic test can show if you have an active coronavirus infection. At Saint Mary’s, we conduct a diagnostic test for any student who is symptomatic, or has been directly exposed to someone with an active COVID-19 infection.
Screening Testing: Screening tests are intended to identify infected people who are asymptomatic and do not have known, suspected, or reported exposure to COVID-19. Screening helps to identify unknown cases so that measures can be taken to prevent further transmission. Individuals who are fully vaccinated do not need to undergo routine COVID-19 screening testing.
Testing Methods:
- PCR: molecular tests that detect the virus's genetic material
- Rapid Antigen: tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus
Moving Average (also known as Rolling Average): A 7-day moving average takes data from the past 7 days, adds them up, and divides it by 7. This provides an average over time, removing peaks and valleys.