RWU Coronavirus Information

Advisory on Coronavirus

8 p.m.

We are providing an update to the below communication sent earlier today. While not showing symptoms of COVID-19, one of the conference attendees is following the recommendation of the Florida Department of Health to self-quarantine at this time. The Emergency Response Team will continue to provide regular updates that affect members of the University community.

Sincerely,

RWU Emergency Response Team


9 a.m.

Dear campus community,
 
Please be advised that fifteen students and one faculty member recently attended the CPAC Conference, from Feb. 26-29, in which a non-RWU attendee has since tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). While we are writing to make you aware of the situation, RWU can assure you that none of the RWU conference attendees are exhibiting coronavirus symptoms in the week since the conference has ended.
 
The health and safety of our campus community is our top priority. Here is what we are doing to be prepared and address your concerns:

The conference officials notified attendees on Saturday, March 7 of an attendee’s positive test result for coronavirus. RWU was informed later that day and immediately began communicating with the university students and faculty member who attended the conference. Because the conference attendees are currently symptom free, the Department of Health has advised that there is no concern of exposure to our campus community.

  • RWU has notified the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) of these conference attendees and we are currently following the guidance from government health experts.
  • The risk of exposure to these students and faculty member to one infected person at a conference of 15,000 attendees was very low. Conference officials stated that the infected person did not attend any events in the main hall. Additionally, the RWU attendees did not stay in the conference hotel.
  • We received a recent communication from conference organizers that no other conference attendees or venue staff have tested positive for the coronavirus.
  • We will continue to monitor the individuals who attended the conference and have asked that they self-quarantine at home and not come to campus, adhering to a full 14-day observation period, which will end on Saturday, March 14. While we are requesting this step as a precaution, we wish to reiterate that none of the RWU conference attendees are currently exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
  • We have begun tracking and communicating with anyone in the campus community who has had close contact with the conference attendees since their return from the conference. In consultation with RIDOH, we have determined there is no need for those who have had close contact with the RWU conference attendees to quarantine at this time.
  • For the past six weeks, we have increased the rigor of cleaning, sanitizing procedures and disinfecting common surfaces across the University.
  • Campus operations will continue as normal when classes resume from spring break.
  • RWU Health Services is available at (401) 254-3156 to answer any questions you may have.


We assure you that RWU is working hard to monitor the situation and are implementing the guidance of government health authorities.
 
Sincerely,
RWU Emergency Response Team

RWU Coronavirus Information