The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is managing the number of COVID-19 cases on campus and has plans to adapt as needed to changing circumstances.
With some universities shifting to virtual classes and quarantining entire residence halls, the community may be wondering "when will that happen at UW-Stevens Point?" noted Chancellor Bernie Patterson.
"We don't know if or when that will occur. What we know is this: UW-Stevens Point has implemented numerous precautions to keep students, employees and the community safe and to contain the spread of COVID-19," he said. "We also are prepared to pivot quickly to online learning if it becomes necessary."
Any decision to move all classes online depends on several factors, including the number of COVID-19 cases, the university's capacity to isolate and quarantine residence hall students who test positive or are close contacts of those with COVID-19, and ICU capacity in local hospitals. Three-fourths of this designated isolation and quarantine space remains available on campus.
"We monitor and analyze COVID-19 indicators daily with an eye on dealing with present situations and future possibilities," Patterson said. "We consult with and follow recommendations of state and local health officials and UW System to determine how to best respond to any changes in operations for the health of our campus communities."
One important way to control the spread of the coronavirus is through screening tests of students living in residence halls. Biweekly antigen tests help quickly identify individuals who are asymptomatic yet may be spreading the virus. By frequently testing, UW-Stevens Point is detecting some cases early and preventing the spread.
Students who have COVID-19 symptoms contact Student Health Service for evaluation and diagnosis through PCR testing. Student Health Service is a resource for testing and care for all students. If residence hall students need to isolate or quarantine, meals and support services are provided.
COVID-19 cases involving students, employees and others on our campuses are tracked and posted to a public dashboard on our COVID webpage, where precautions and resources are listed. More than 175 cases have been reported on the Stevens Point campus, and 57 percent are among students who live off campus. Cases on campus are not concentrated in one residence hall. Many efforts are underway to prevent and contain COVID-19.
Efforts on campus include completing a daily symptom screening before coming to campus, requiring face coverings, physically distancing from others, reducing capacity of classrooms by 70 to 80 percent, limiting meeting spaces and guests in residence halls, increasing cleaning and personal hygiene protocols.
Efforts off campus include providing posters to local businesses to "Stay a Stevie Apart" and wear face coverings, meeting with local Tavern League leaders to encourage capacity limits and producing a public service announcement on face coverings with local county health departments. UW-Stevens Point is also partnering with the Portage County Division of Health to employ contact tracers for COVID-19 cases involving university students.
Students who live or socialize in the community have been reminded must follow university policies both on and off campus. UW-Stevens Point has encouraged precautions and safe behaviors and is ramping up compliance expectations for the health and safety of everyone.
"We are working to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our campuses and in our communities. With the number of cases rising in Wisconsin and nationwide, every one of us needs to do our part," Patterson said.
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