JMU Health Update - Oct. 19

Dear JMU Family,

Pandemic Progress at JMU

Two weeks after returning to in-person and hybrid learning, the positivity rate and the number of active cases remain low at JMU. While this is good news, and our student body deserves credit for following Stop the Spread guidance, we all must remain vigilant. The virus is surging in several states in the Midwest and in Europe, reminding us that the pandemic is not over. With Halloween, a traditional social highlight of the fall semester, on the horizon, please remember not to let your guard down. Remain in your social bubbles, wear your masks in public and in the company of those outside your bubble, wash your hands frequently and let’s finish the semester strong. Go Dukes!

1,000 FREE COVID-19 Tests Weekly

In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Virginia Department of Health, the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, JMU will be offering 1,000 free COVID-19 tests per week for the next five weeks. The dates are Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11 and Nov. 18, from 2 to 7 p.m. at University Park. More details can be found here. This is a drive-through event, with limited walk-up testing also available. It is open to everyone, including those with no symptoms or close contact. You may pre-register here or register on-site.

Campus Open During Thanksgiving

To assist students living on campus who may not be able to travel home for Thanksgiving due to COVID-19-related issues, we are keeping the residence halls and dining services open over Thanksgiving break, Nov. 21-29. More information can be found here.

Update on Cases

The university observed 7 new positive cases of COVID-19 at the Health Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as 2 self-reported cases, with 11 students becoming considered “recovered,” meaning they were diagnosed as positive more than 10 days ago and are no longer infectious. One employee self-reported receiving a positive test result from an off-campus contact. The number of active cases is at 41. The number of open quarantine and isolation beds is at 464 out of 477. More information can be found on the university’s Stop the Spread dashboard. While our situation continues to improve, individuals must continue to follow public health guidance by wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and washing hands frequently.

Stop the Spread HELPline

If students and their families have questions and can’t readily find the answers in our FAQs, call the Stop the Spread HELPline, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The toll-free number is 888-886-3131. And don’t forget, many of your questions can be answered here. Call center agents also will be answering questions sent to covid19@jmu.edu, and you can submit questions via a form on the Stop the Spread site. Please note, the HELPline is not for reporting noncompliance with health guidance and the Stop the Spread Agreement signed by all students. Please use the LiveSafe app, which goes directly to the JMU Public Safety dispatch.

Stay safe, and please remember that the only vaccine currently available for COVID-19 is solidarity. And download the COVIDWISE app!