Here's what you need to know for the week of April 5:
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Colorado Now in Phase 2 of COVID Vaccine Distribution
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Colorado has opened up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to anyone over age 16, which is Phase 2 of its statewide vaccine distribution plan.
Drive-up clinics are now available in three locations across the state, including the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs. Schedule your vaccine at a drive-up clinic.
El Paso County Public Health has launched a new interactive online mapping tool to help eligible individuals locate a vaccine provider in our community.
CC employees, including student workers, should sign up now for the COVID-19 vaccination. This announcement provides more details on how you can get your vaccine appointment scheduled.
The Scientific Advisory Group has answered your vaccine-related questions. Access CC’s updated COVID-19 FAQs here and submit your questions to covid19@coloradocollege.edu.
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CC Hosts Vaccine Clinic April 17
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CC is partnering with Optum to provide COVID vaccines on campus. This vaccine point of distribution will be open to CC campus community members and their families. Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at Cornerstone Arts Center. You will need to make an appointment in advance to be vaccinated. Additional information on how to register will be available soon.
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COVID Variants Identified in CC Cases and in El Paso County
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At least two viral variants of concern that are more contagious and may cause more severe illness have been detected among CC students and within El Paso County. One of the variants is B.1.1.7, which is now becoming dominant in the U.S. There are confirmed cases of people in the county as well as at CC who experienced re-infection with this variant. This means that prior infection with the “original” version of Coronavirus does not necessarily provide immunity against this variant. All CC community members, including those who recovered from COVID-19, should continue adhering to mask wearing, social distancing, frequent handwashing, and avoiding gatherings, especially indoors. Prioritize lower risk, outdoor activities.
Cases and hospitalizations are surging again in El Paso County, with positivity rates above 7%. El Paso County has the highest number of variant cases in the state.
Health officials require a 14-day isolation period for those who test positive for one of these variants and all close contacts must quarantine for 14 days. Because of the variant cases and because most CC community members are not yet vaccinated, CC’s COVID-19 risk-mitigation protocols remain in effect for all members of the CC community. Note that because most students live in congregate housing settings (residence halls or off-campus housing with multiple roommates), these protocols are required for all students, even if they are already vaccinated. Your adherence to our protocols have helped reduce the risk to our community thus far, and continuing to do so increases chances of celebrating Commencement in-person and minimizes setbacks that may be caused by these variants.
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Colorado’s State Mask Mandate Extended
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Gov. Jared Polis announced that he’s extending the statewide mask order with modifications that account for where Colorado is in the pandemic. “Here in Colorado we are making incredible progress with getting vaccines into arms and protecting our most vulnerable,” Polis said last week. “Until everyone can get the vaccine and our COVID cases are reduced, taking precautions to prevent a surge in cases and further spread of the disease is the smart thing to do and the right thing to do and helps keep everything open.” The governor extended the order for 30 days beginning April 3. Counties in State Dial Level Green can drop their mask orders.
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In-Person Commencement Ceremonies for Classes of 2020 and 2021
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Last week, CC announced that Commencement for the Class of 2021 will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2021, and Commencement for the Class of 2020 will be held on Sunday, May 30, 2021. Both events will be held in person at 9 a.m., at the brand-new Weidner Field in downtown Colorado Springs. The college is moving forward with plans for in-person ceremonies in alignment with state and county COVID-19 guidelines. This year’s festivities will look different from previous years, including COVID-19 protocols. Read the full announcement and watch the CC Commencement web pages for continued updates in the coming weeks.
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Professor Christine Siddoway and her Geology 140 class spend time outdoors studying the rocks that make up campus buildings. Photo by Jennifer Coombes.
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Check Out CC’s COVID Dashboard
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The CC COVID-19 dashboard shows all known CC community cases, including our local off-campus students and employees. It provides quick access to COVID-19 metrics on campus and in the El Paso County community, including COVID-19 exposure, testing, and positive test results. For questions regarding this data, please contact Ben Moffitt in the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness. We send a notification when an individual who receives a positive COVID-19 test result has been on campus within their contagious timeframe and may have been in contact with others on campus.
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CC’s Coronavirus Updates & Resources page has the latest information and answers to frequently asked questions, as well as a listing of all campus messages. If you have additional concerns about COVID-19 or our campus response, direct them to: covid19@coloradocollege.edu; please leave your phone number if you prefer a personal call back. Remember, there are numerous resources on campus for support and assistance, including the Counseling Center, the Chaplain’s Office, Employee Assistance Plan, the Butler Center, the Advising Hub, and the Wellness Resource Center.
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