Positive test for COVID-19

Dear Bentley Community,

As we continue in our commitment to keep you closely informed of all campus developments, we are sharing news today that a Bentley University staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member immediately notified their supervisor as soon as they learned of the positive result, and that person is now self-isolating and recovering off campus. Anyone on campus who had been in contact with this individual during their potentially contagious period has been notified and given information on how to self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms. With social distancing practices in place on campus, only a limited number of individuals were impacted. Of course, our thoughts are with this staff member and we share with them the support of this entire community as they rest and recover.

Bentley staff supervisors are in close communication with the people involved to provide guidance and support. Health Center Director Dr. Anjini Virmani, who has been working directly with the Waltham Health Department on the university’s response, has informed the city of the positive test. As with any medical diagnosis, it is important that the identity of the person be protected, and we ask that you respect this individual’s privacy during this time.

As COVID-19 has spread, the Cabinet has been meeting daily, now virtually, to direct the university’s response and has taken multiple steps to protect our community and reduce the risk of infection. With students learning online from their homes and almost all faculty and staff working remotely in accordance with Governor Baker's stay-at-home advisory, the number of people on campus has been sharply reduced to keep our community safer. We will continue to assess the situation using guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Massachusetts Department of Public Health and wish our fellow Bentley community member a quick recovery.

The Bentley University Cabinet 

Alison Davis-Blake
Donna Maria Blancero
Josh Brand
George Cangiano
Carolina Figueroa
Maureen Flores
Maureen Forrester
Christopher Joyce
Amanda King
Judy Malone
Andrew Shepardson
Bob Wittstein