With the return of students, faculty, and staff to Kenyon for the fall semester, COVID-19 cases have also increased on campus, with 98 students reporting positive tests to the Cox Health and Counseling Center since August 15. Fortunately, we have had no reports of severe illness, and none of these cases has required hospitalization due to COVID-19. Like Knox County, our situation on campus corresponds to the Medium COVID-19 Community Level, and we encourage everyone in the Kenyon community to take appropriate precautions, to isolate if they are symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19, to follow recommendations for what to do if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19, and to wear a mask or respirator if they or a close contact are at high risk of getting very sick. Students who test positive should contact health@kenyon.edu, and employees should reach out to hr@kenyon.edu.
Rapid tests remain available for students at the Mail Center (one kit per student per week), masks are available in Peirce Hall, and KN95 respirators are available at Campus Safety. We will continue to update case numbers weekly on the COVID-19 Information Page.
The present rise in cases just confirms what we all already know: COVID-19 is still with us. But we also know that the Kenyon community has learned how to live with this virus and that we have the information and resources we need to make responsible decisions and take care of ourselves and one another.
Sincerely,
Drew Kerkhoff
Chair, COVID-19 Steering Committee
Professor of Biology and Associate Provost