Granite State Times

Dear Durham Community—

In the wake of Halloween weekend and increased indoor gatherings, we are writing with some reminders and a plea to continue your commitment to COVID-19 testing and indoor mask wearing. Our number of positive COVID-19 cases has jumped in the last two days and COVID wastewater sampling throughout the Durham campus suggests more positive cases are likely.

A few reminders:

• Continue to test as scheduled; regular testing of our community helps to quickly identify and isolate outbreaks. You can submit additional samples (no more than twice a week) outside of your scheduled testing days. Additional kits are available in MUB 213, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Always wear a mask in campus indoor spaces except when eating, in private offices or in personal residence hall rooms.
• Be thoughtful about gathering in large groups; there are no restrictions in place but moving indoors increases the risk of contact with someone who has COVID-19.
• If you have close contact with someone who has COVID-19, take extra precautions (wear a mask, adhere to physical distancing, avoid crowds) and get tested. Please follow guidance from Health & Wellness.
• Get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccination is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and others from serious illness, hospitalization and death. Even if you have already had COVID, vaccination provides additional and more comprehensive protection against reinfection. Health & Wellness is now offering the primary vaccine as well as booster doses. Learn more about eligibility and availability.

Thank you, again, for your continued compliance and efforts to keep our community safe.

Paul Dean

Chief of Police/Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Risk Management

Co-Chair of UNH Testing and Tracing Committee

Marian McCord

Senior Vice Provost for Research, Economic Engagement, and Outreach

Co-Chair of UNH Testing and Tracing Committee

Peter Degnan, MD

Medical Director, UNH Health & Wellness