TO:  University of Idaho Students, Faculty and Staff
FROM:  Scott Green, President
DATE:  Nov. 2, 2020
SUBJECT:  Positive COVID-19 Cases Decrease in Moscow as State Numbers Rise

With just three weeks remaining until Fall Break, we are continuing to see a decrease in new COVID-19 cases on our Moscow campus despite increases in many communities across the state. Last week we tested 789 people and returned a 0.89% positivity rate. That brings our cumulative average to 2.42%. We have no students in isolation, and no Greek chapters remain in quarantine.

While we are diligently working to keep the virus under control on campus, it is not under control in much of the country. I encourage each of you to think about your plans for Fall Break and the weeks after.

Students are strongly encouraged to remain at your permanent residence after the Thanksgiving break and finish the semester remotely. Undoubtedly, some of you will return to Moscow but we encourage everyone to minimize travel as much as possible. Please keep safety of your family and friends in mind and continue upholding the Healthy Vandal Pledge as you travel and celebrate Thanksgiving. Testing will be available before you leave, and also upon your return by contacting covid19questions@uidaho.edu. Remember, the virus takes at least six days to incubate from the time of your last exposure, so you don’t want to test before then. Please use safety protocols and strive to keep our campus healthy.

I appreciate all the work our faculty have done so our students can engage in in-person classes. I encourage students to attend in person and let instructors know you appreciate their work to make the semester successful.

We have a lot to be proud of. We are still here because each of you stepped up and did your part to help keep each other healthy and slow the spread of COVID-19. Let’s finish the semester strong — like Vandals.

Keep Calm and Vandal On.

Scott Green
President

president@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/president