Siena Heights University to remain at 'Level 3: High Alert' for local COVID-19 spread

Brad Heineman, The Daily Telegram
·3 min read

ADRIAN — On Tuesday, Michigan became the worst COVID-19 hot spot in the nation, according to reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Lenawee County, meanwhile, virus cases are showing a similar trend of increasing. There were 526 cases of the virus reported last week after the previous week resulted in 473 positive COVID-19 cases. Lenawee County's hospital, ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital, was 91% full Monday after hospital administration reported it was at 100% capacity all of last week.

Siena Heights University students are seen at a self-screening station during the start of the 2020-21 school year.
Siena Heights University students are seen at a self-screening station during the start of the 2020-21 school year.

Because of the increasing case numbers in Lenawee County, Siena Heights University’s COVID-19 Taskforce and administration announced Tuesday it has decided to maintain the Adrian campus’ health and safety measurers at Level 3: High Alert — which means there are many cases of COVID-19 and community spread of the virus — rather than alter the alert level.

“With the continued high transmission rates in Lenawee County and the holidays approaching, the university will likely continue operating at this alert level for the remainder of the semester,” an online announcement from SHU said. “The university fully intends to carry out the rest of this semester at the current mode of learning. If classes and co-curricular programs are happening in-person now, please plan to continue engaging in person through the end of the semester.”

As part of its “Siena Safe Campus,” the university has installed five basic alert levels pertaining to local COVID-19 transmission.

“These alert levels are aligned with the State of Michigan Safe Start Plan,” SHU said on its website.

Levels include Level 0: Normal Operations, Level 1: Low Alert, Level 2: Moderate Alert, Level 3: High Alert and Level 4: Very High Alert, which would be issued in the case of widespread outbreaks, stay-at-home orders and closures of schools and nonessential businesses.

In the current Level 3: High Alert stage, certain facilities on the campus of SHU may have limited access to individuals. Health screening and tracking processes have been implemented; COVID positive individuals must quarantine or self-isolate; enforced protection measurers are recommended, such as face coverings and social distancing; campus offices are working remotely periodically or on alternating days; and limitations on indoor and outdoor group gatherings will be enforced if mandated by the Lenawee County Health Department.

SHU has been operating in a Level 3: High Alert since Oct. 27. According to the county health department, Lenawee County remains at risk level “E,” which is the highest risk level of COVID-19 community transmission on an alphabet scale of A, B, C, D and E.

SHU's website said it continues to implement “rigorous” cleaning and disinfecting protocol throughout campus and has taken steps to reduce dining hall density. To-go meals for students are encouraged and requested to be consumed in housing assignments or outdoors, weather permitting.

The COVID Taskforce and athletic director Sue Syljebeck will implement modified safety measures for athletic functions, if needed.

“We have experienced a recent surge of positive COVID-19 cases within the Siena Heights community,” the university said on its website. “We continue to strongly encourage individuals to get vaccinated if they have not already. All faculty, staff, or students who develop flu-like symptoms (e.g. runny nose, cough, fever, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell) are expected to call our COVID-19 contact tracking and tracing line at 517-264-7799 before leaving their room and/or coming to campus.”

As of Tuesday, SHU’s online COVID-19 dashboard reflected 91% of its staff and employees (233 employees reporting) have been fully or partially vaccinated. Of the student body on campus, 67% (1,192 students reporting) have been fully or partially vaccinated.

There have been 122 cumulative positive COVID-19 cases on campus this semester with two results pending. Twenty individuals are in isolation — separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick — while an additional 15 are in quarantine — separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Siena Heights to remain at Level 3: High Alert for COVID-19 spread