Community Update: First week of classes and COVID-19 Numbers

A Smooth Return to Campus

Welcome back, Bulldogs! With the first week of class ending, we’re off to a good start.  Beginning last Sunday, volunteers conducted tests this week on 692 students, resulting in three asymptomatic positives. Earlier in the month all 604 returning athletes underwent the same testing, which also resulted in three asymptomatic positives. While we are still completing testing on the rest of our student population, so far we have a positive rate well below those of Cleveland County and North Carolina as a whole.

While we celebrate this healthy return to campus, we clearly cannot lower our guard. Everyone, please,  continue to wear your mask, maintain safe physical distancing and wash your hands frequently.

Remind your friends and classmates that we’re all in this together!

Current COVID-19 Numbers

As of today, January 15, Gardner-Webb has one positive case of COVID-19 in isolation on campus. We have six residential undergraduate students who have tested positive and are in isolation at home. There is one commuter/graduate student with COVID-19 in isolation at home, and there are two in quarantine.

Students with questions regarding classroom or online attendance while in isolation or quarantine should contact Dean of Students, Lesley Villarose, at [email protected].

Among our faculty there is one positive case of COVID-19 in isolation at home.  We have seven staff members positive with COVID-19 in isolation at home, while a further eight staff members are in quarantine waiting to be tested or waiting for test results.

As a reminder to faculty and staff, individuals with actual or potential exposure to COVID-19 should notify their supervisor immediately, and their supervisor will then notify David Wacaster (704.406.3235), Barry Lane (704.406.2266) and Human Resources—Eric Plemmons (704.406.4259) or Frances Sizemore (704.406.3502). Faculty may also use [email protected] for any questions or concerns you may have regarding quarantine dates for your students.

If you have any symptoms, remember to reach out immediately. If you are a residential student and develop any COVID symptoms, contact the Dean of Students, Lesley Villarose, at [email protected] or (610) 322-7265. Residential students may also contact Brian Arnold at [email protected] or (704) 974-2810. If you are a commuter, graduate or doctoral student, faculty or staff and you develop COVID symptoms you can contact Barry Lane at [email protected] or (704) 297-6988.

Mask up, Dawgs! Stay safe and healthy!