No new COVID on Eastern’s campus

Utah State University Eastern students achieved a milestone this week. For the first time since classes resumed in person, there are no active cases of COVID-19 on the USU Eastern campus.

In the weekly coronavirus update video released by USU Eastern Associate Vice President Greg Dart, he shared the positive news with the campus community. “We are going on day five with zero-active cases on campus.”

This is a milestone that few other university campuses can share with USU Eastern. COVID-19 has been spreading fast through these communities, particularly in sports and other nonessential groups and activities.

USU’s campus in Logan reported 3,030 cases since monitoring began in the summer 2020. While they navigated some of the struggles that come with this disease, they still have 101 active cases on campus.

Both Utah State and USU Eastern administration opted to hold classes on campus fall semester 2020 and spring 2021.  Fall semester was a particularly challenging time, with upwards of 50 students on the Eastern campus spending weeks of their semester in isolation.

It takes hard work and dedication from everyone in these environments to keep each other safe, something Dart acknowledged in his update. “This is a great thing. It just shows your [USU Eastern staff, faculty and students] commitment to keeping everyone around you safe.”

While this news is very promising, it’s still important to follow the guidelines set forward by the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization to prevent the spread of the numerous strains of COVID-19 known in Utah. Many of these new strains have proven more infectious than the original. The variant discovered in the United Kingdom is the most infectious so far. It’s been confirmed in several places in the state. Dart believes following these guidelines is important while school is in session.

Part of keeping everyone safe is vaccination. New vaccination appointments will begin opening to Utahns 65 plus and those with specified health problems beginning in March. Getting vaccinated once you are able is recommended to contain and eliminate the spread of COVID-19.

For updates on COVID-19 and vaccination updates, please visit SEUHealth.com