Dear colleagues,
The University of Tulsa concluded its return-to-campus COVID-19 testing initiative Tuesday, and I write now to share those results with you. The university tested all unvaccinated students regardless of residency status as well as vaccinated students who live in congregate housing (e.g., on-campus residence halls). In total, 1,024 return-to-campus tests were administered between Jan. 4 and 11, with 151 positive results and an overall campus positivity rate of 14.7%. There are currently 98 active COVID-19 cases in the TU community: 89 student, six faculty and three staff. These statistics have been published on our COVID-19 dashboard.
Our testing data reveals a noteworthy and downward trend in positive test results between Jan. 4 and 11. Although our overall positivity rate for the return-to-campus initiative stands at 14.7%, we observed a much lower positivity rate of only 4.9% among the 529 tests administered on campus Monday and Tuesday this week. We are cautiously optimistic that these more recent results foretell a downward trend in new cases over the next week.
Nevertheless, in consideration of our current campus positivity rate and active student cases, TU is extending its temporary workplace safety measures for an additional week and will conduct a second round of surveillance testing of the student body on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
The following workplace safety measures remain in effect through Friday, Jan. 21:
- Faculty may choose to teach remotely during week two. Instructors choosing to teach remotely must notify their students as soon as possible.
- Employees must continue to wear (a) a KN95 or equivalent filtering respirator mask or (b) a surgical mask in combination with a cloth mask when indoors, except when alone in private offices.
a. Presenters/speakers/lecturers may remove their masks when presenting/speaking/lecturing, so long as they are able to observe physical distancing during the entirety of their presentation/speech/lecture.
b. KN95 masks are not single-use masks and masks issued by TU this week should be worn again next week unless soiled. Requests for additional masks should be made to facilities management by emailing phpl_work@utulsa.edu. - Staff meetings should be held virtually unless in-person attendance is essential. Physical distancing (6 feet of space between meeting participants) should be observed in all in-person meetings.
- Students must continue to wear a face covering in all academic and administrative buildings on campus. Masks are encouraged, but not required, in residence halls, the Student Union and Collins Fitness Center.
The COVID-19 Management Team continues to closely monitor campus and community metrics. If you have not yet done so, please complete TU’s vaccination and booster verification form to notify the university of your vaccination status. Please also note that employees are required to self-report to the university a positive COVID-19 test result or diagnosis, a known exposure to COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19 using the COVID-19 self-reporting form for staff and faculty.
Thank you for your continued resolve and dedication to our students. If you have any questions, please email covid19@utulsa.edu.
Sincerely,
Matt Warren
Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer