Dear Students,
As we approach the final stretch of the semester, we’re reaching out today to announce that mandatory weekly screening testing for all undergraduate students and residential students will continue through the end of 2021. Weekly screening testing for COVID-19 has helped our campus ensure that we quickly identify positive cases and reduce the spread of infection in residence halls and high-traffic areas. By continuing testing for the remainder of the semester, we can give ourselves the best chance at continuing to enjoy the on-campus experiences that makes Bentley such a special place.
While testing over the past few weeks has yielded a lower number of positive cases on campus in comparison to the start of the semester, transmission rates on campus remain higher than in the surrounding community and are still considered “substantial” according to CDC metrics. Case rates in Massachusetts, and in Middlesex County in particular, were on the decline since a peak in September, but case rates recently plateaued and started increasing again. We must remain vigilant and smart with our decision making, and continuing to test once a week for the remainder of the semester will help us do just that.
By the end of this week, all undergraduate students, whether living on or off campus, must log into the Bentley Health Portal and schedule a weekly test through the remainder of the semester. Instructions on scheduling a test can be found here. As a reminder, do not enter the screening testing area if you are ill or displaying symptoms of COVID-19 and instead contact the Health Center at GA_Healthcenter@Bentley.edu or 781-891-2222 during business hours.
Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep yourselves and our campus healthy and safe. We have come a long way since last year. Letting our guard down now against COVID-19 is not worth the risk. Let’s make way for all the great times ahead this semester by playing it safe.
Kim Kerrigan, MSN, FNP-BC
Screening Test Program Leader
Julia Matthews, MSN, MPH
Director, Health Center
Geoff Bartlett, CEM, NHDP-BC
Director of Emergency Management
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