COVID-19 Spring Update

January 11, 2021

I am writing today to update you on several topics concerning the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. With the Traditional spring semester set to resume on January 18, we are prepared to welcome back approximately 95 resident students who will be housed in Bollum and Wright Hall. PA and OT graduate students will return to the Ryan Center later this month. A limited number of courses both in the traditional program and in several graduate programs will be delivered in a hybrid format and will have an on-ground component. Employees will continue to work remotely with only limited staff coming to campus to perform essential work.

Strict COVID protocols will remain in place including daily symptom tracking, weekly COVID testing, social distancing, mask requirement and frequent sanitization of facilities.

The COVID testing center located in Carr Hall will operate throughout the spring semester and will be available for all students and employees. Students and employees who are symptom-free may come to the center for their weekly COVID test. For those who have symptoms, or are a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID, or who live in a household with someone who has COVID, you must make alternate arrangements for testing by contacting one of the following individuals – if you are an employee contact Ericka Blyther, testing center coordinator (eblyther@baypath.edu). If you are a student, contact Deb Baker, director of health services (dbaker@baypath.edu).

Regarding the vaccine: Governor Baker recently announced plans for the distribution of the COVID vaccine in Massachusetts. Currently, first responders and healthcare workers are able to sign-up for vaccine distribution in western Massachusetts and a number of our employees have taken this first step. We are working closely with our state-wide association (AICUM) and local/regional officials to determine how soon all members of the Bay Path community can get access to the vaccine. As more information becomes available, we will post it to our COVID page on the My Bay Path portal. More urgent information will be sent via email.

It is also important to note that until further guidance from the CDC or DPH is provided, if you receive the vaccine, you are still required to comply with the seven day testing cycle and submit your daily symptom tracking.

Although distribution of the COVID vaccine is moving forward, the spread of the virus continues to increase both regionally and nationally. For that reason, we must remain vigilant by wearing our masks, washing hands frequently, conducting a daily symptom check and weekly test and maintaining social distance. I urge you to do your part to keep our community safe.

COVID-19 Vaccine in Massachusetts website.

Michael Giampietro
Vice President for Finance & Administrative Services