By Nicole Fitzsimmons, News Editor
OneManhattan sent out an email on Feb. 25 with updated numbers of COVID cases on campus, information on testing opportunities, and options to receive the booster vaccination on campus or near the college.
On Feb. 7, the college announced via email the resumption of surveillance testing on campus, regardless of vaccination status throughout the spring semester. Surveillance testing selects students to get tested periodically to ensure COVID-19 cases or spreading are being minimized on campus.
“A reminder that we are requiring all members of the Manhattan College community, regardless of their vaccination status, to participate in periodic COVID-19 testing throughout the spring semester,” the email wrote.
The email opened with questions which have been floating around the community because of these testing requirements, especially because these surveillance testing requirements were not in place during the fall semester.
“Why are we continuing to require COVID-19 testing while hospitalizations and case rates remain low in our area?” the email wrote. “We’re doing it to better identify trends in positive cases on campus. These results will also provide us with more accurate data as we evaluate upcoming changes in guidance from city, state and federal health officials.”
Checking your upcoming test due date is available through the daily symptom tracker on the MC Glance app and on students’ MyCovidStatus.
The college calendar linked in the email offers their testing schedule on campus for the accessibility of students. For the week of Feb. 28 to March 3, testing will be offered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For Tuesday, students are not required to register in advance when Level Up Pharmacy is administering testing. Instead, students will register on site in Smith Auditorium the day of the test.
The college is encouraging safety also by continuously offering students the ability to receive the booster shot on campus or nearby. On Friday, March 4, the college will be hosting a booster vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Kelly Commons for doses for Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
The email includes local partners near campus where students can receive their vaccinations, including Desai Pharmacy on 228 West 238th Street or Rite Aid on the corner of 238th Street. Desai is offering doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rite Aid is offering vaccinations with limited walk-ins available daily from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. or through appointments, which you can schedule on their website.
Students are encouraged to upload vaccine information through a link in the email to make sure their status is up to date.
The email states there are 14 active cases of COVID-19 on campus currently. The college is still continuously offering information and updates for the Manhattan College community in order to promote health and safety on campus, despite relatively decreasing numbers currently in the state.