Following two weeks of remote learning amidst the Omicron surge, DU returns to in-person instruction for all of its classes on Jan. 18. With a COVID-19 positivity rate lower than that of the city of Denver—6% compared to 28%—Chancellor Haefner claims in a recent letter that DU’s conditions are “quite favorable” for a full return to in-person learning.
“We can be reassured that our mitigation efforts are protecting the health and safety of the DU community while on campus,” said Haefner in the letter in reference to DU’s daily positivity rate.
Although classes began remotely, campus reopened on its original schedule for any DU community member who followed the required six steps. Students who were fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, received their flu shot and tested negative twice were able to utilize on-campus facilities during the first two weeks of the quarter.
Given the surge in cases upon returning to campus, however, testing protocols have increased. DU residential students are now required to get tested for COVID-19 every three days in an effort to rely less on contact tracing to reduce the spread of the virus.
Isolation timelines have also shifted. In conjunction with the CDC’s new recommendations, required isolation for DU community members who test positive for COVID-19 is now five days instead of the previous 10 under certain circumstances. As of Jan. 17, 61.33% of DU’s isolation and quarantine spaces were occupied.
DU has additionally updated options for students and employees with higher health risks in contracting COVID-19. Accommodations for in-person class attendance and housing for immunocompromised students “due to an underlying medical condition, treatment plan [or] medication regimen” can now be made through DU’s Disability Services.
The announcement for return to in-person learning did not, however, include any new information regarding protocols for staying up to date with classes if a student does test positive for COVID-19 and is put in isolation. There is currently no university-wide option for students to attend class virtually while in isolation. Information regarding the spread of COVID-19 at DU can be found on DU’s COVID-19 Dashboard. The dashboard is currently only accessible while on campus or while using a VPN.
