November 6, 2020
We are currently seeing a steep increase in COVID-19 cases in two residence halls – Sharp and Monroe. These cases have been linked back to behavior post Hurricane Zeta and over Halloween weekend. This behavior has created the need for more stringent restrictions and health protocols.
- Effectively immediately through Nov. 11, residents of Sharp and Monroe should report for testing daily in either Paterson or Phelps.
- Beginning today through Nov. 11, residents of Sharp and Monroe are restricted from eating at the Commons. The Pavilion will be the primary dining hall for Sharp and Monroe residents only through Nov. 11. Students are requested to utilize the delivery option (Grubhub) for LBC food retail orders. This restriction is regrettable but necessary to reduce further spread throughout our campus.
- If you test positive and do not provide contact tracers with close contacts or are rude, disrespectful or uncooperative with contact tracers, you will be suspended.
- If you participated in parties and events post Hurricane Zeta or during Halloween, you should immediately quarantine yourself.
- If you can help identify the Halloween events behind this increase in positives and can provide information to help us track down more of the organizers or attendees, please file a report at Tulane.edu/concerns. We are working to identify, test and/or quarantine individuals who attended these events to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
These behaviors are disappointing and reckless. The individuals who led these actions have put our communities at risk and could potentially lead to people being unable to return home for Thanksgiving. They are also causing their fellow residents who followed safety protocols to suffer the consequences of those who did not. We are closely monitoring the data and will act quickly to reduce the spread; however, the impacts are significant, and we are now depending on your behavior and action to stop the further spread of COVID-19 to the Tulane community.
