COVID-19 Testing Program

Fall 2022 Weekly Case Summary

Reported after results are in from weekly testing, generally on Fridays. Case numbers include both off campus and home rapid positive test results reported to Health Services and Human Resources, in addition to positive test results from on campus PCR testing. Data reported in previous semesters reflected only positive PCR test results from on campus testing.

Total cases fall semester: 100

DECEMBER 10 – 16, 2022

Total Cases: 2

One student and one employee tested positive this week.

DECEMBER 3 – 9, 2022

Total Cases: 5

Two students and three employees tested positive this week.

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 2, 2022

Total Cases: 5

Three students and two employees tested positive this week.

NOVEMBER 19 – 25, 2022

Total Cases: 3

One student and two employees tested positive this week.

NOVEMBER 12 – 18, 2022

Total Cases: 3

Two students and one employee tested positive this week.

NOVEMBER 5 – 11, 2022

Total Cases: 2

Two employees tested positive this week.

OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2022

Total Cases: 0

No positive test results were reported this week. 

OCTOBER 22 – 28, 2022

Total Cases: 2

Two students tested positive this week. 

OCTOBER 15 – 21, 2022

Total Cases: 5

Four students and one employee tested positive this week. 

OCTOBER 9 – 14, 2022

Total Cases: 3

Two students and one employee tested positive this week. 

OCTOBER 2 – 8, 2022

Total Cases: 4

Two students and two employees tested positive this week. 

SEPTEMBER 25 – OCTOBER 1, 2022

Total Cases: 2

One students and one employee tested positive this week.

SEPTEMBER 18 – 24, 2022

Total Cases: 10

Seven students and three employees tested positive this week.

SEPTEMBER 11 – 23, 2022

Total Cases: 28

Twenty-seven students and one employee tested positive this week.

SEPTEMBER 4 – 10, 2022

Total Cases: 7

Four students and three employees tested positive this week.

AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 3, 2022

Total Cases: 3

Three students tested positive this week.

AUGUST 21 – 27, 2022

Total Cases: 10

Nine students* and one employee tested positive this week. One student tested positive through the onboard testing program.

AUGUST 14 – 20, 2022

Total Cases: 6

Four students* and two employees tested positive this week. No students tested positive through the onboard testing program. 

*During onboard testing (August 14 - 27), most students who tested positive did so prior to arrival on campus for the semester and isolated at home.

Spring 2022 Test Results

Reported after results are in from each test day during the first two weeks, then weekly after February 5.

Total tests to date: 9,163
Total positive results: 45
Total positivity rate: 0.5%

“Total tests to date” includes all testing in the asymptomatic testing program and at Health Services. “Total positive results” reports all positive tests in the asymptomatic testing program and at Health Services. Off-campus tests are not part of the testing program and are not always reported to the College, so those results are not included in the data for the College testing program.

Week of May 6-12, 2022

• Total tests: 373
• Total positive results: 3
• Total positivity rate: 0.8%

One student and one employee tested positive through asymptomatic testing. One students tested positive through Heath Services.

Week of April 29-May 5, 2022

• Total tests: 553
• Total positive results: 3
• Total positivity rate: 0.5%

One student and two employees tested positive through asymptomatic testing.

Week of April 22-28, 2022

• Total tests: 560
• Total positive results: 5
• Total positivity rate: 0.9%

One student and one employee tested positive through asymptomatic testing. Three students tested positive through Health Services. 

Week of April 15-21, 2022

• Total tests: 549
• Total positive results: 2
• Total positivity rate: 0.4%

Two employees tested positive through asymptomatic testing.

Week of April 15-21, 2022

• Total tests: 549
• Total positive results: 2
• Total positivity rate: 0.4%

Two employees tested positive through asymptomatic testing.

Week of April 8-14, 2022

• Total tests: 587
• Total positive results: 1
• Total positivity rate: 0.2%

One student tested positive through asymptomatic testing.

Week of April 2-7, 2022

• Total tests: 571
• Total positive results: 1
• Total positivity rate: 0.2%

One employee tested positive through asymptomatic testing.

Week of March 26-April 1, 2022

• Total tests: 531
• Total positive results: 3
• Total positivity rate: 0.6%

Two students tested positive through Health Services and one employee tested positive through asymptomatic testing.

Week of March 21-25, 2022

• Total tests: 600
• Total positive results: 2
• Total positivity rate: 0.3%

One student tested positive through Health Services and one student tested positive through asymptomatic testing.

Week of March 4-11, 2022

• Total tests: 550
• Total positive results: 1
• Total positivity rate: 0.18%

One student tested positive through Health Services.

Week of February 25-March 3, 2022

• Total tests: 560
• Total positive results: 1
• Total positivity rate: 0.73%

One student tested positive through Health Services.

Week of February 18-24, 2022

• Total tests: 549
• Total positive results: 4
• Total positivity rate: 0.73%

Four students tested positive through Health Services.

Week of February 11-17, 2022

• Total tests: 540
• Total positive results: 1
• Total positivity rate: 0.19%

One student tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

February 9, 2022

• Total tests: 191
• Total positive results: 2
• Total positivity rate: 1.05%

Two students tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

February 8, 2022

• Total tests: 369
• Total positive results: 2
• Total positivity rate: 0.54%

One student tested positive through Health Services. One employee tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

February 3, 2022

• Total tests: 227
• Total positive results: 0
• Total positivity rate: 0%

February 1, 2022

• Total tests: 310
• Total positive results: 0
• Total positivity rate: 0%

January 31, 2022

• Total tests: 213
• Total positive results: 0
• Total positivity rate: 0%

January, 28, 2022

• Total tests: 168
• Total positive results: 1
• Total positivity rate: 0.60%

One student tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

January 27, 2022

• Total tests: 237
• Total positive results: 2
• Total positivity rate: 0.84%

One student tested positive through Health Services. One employee tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

January 25, 2022

• Total tests: 281
• Total positive results: 2
• Total positivity rate: 0.71%

One student and one employee tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

January 24, 2022

• Total tests: 192
• Total positive results: 1
• Total positivity rate: 0.52%

One student tested positive through Health Services.

January 23, 2022

• Total tests: 202
• Total positive results: 3
• Total positivity rate: 1.5%

Three students tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

January 17-21, 2022

• Total tests: 238
• Total positive results: 5
• Total positivity rate: 2.1%

Four employees and one off-campus student tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

Fall 2021 Test Results

Reported after all results are in after each test date.

Total tests to date: 9,264
Total positive results: 18
Total positivity rate: 0.19%

“Total tests to date” includes all testing in the asymptomatic testing program and at Health Services. “Total positive results” reports all positive tests in the asymptomatic testing program and at Health Services. To maximize transparency, when students and employees share positive tests from off-campus sites with the College, that information is reported in the weekly updates; however, off-campus tests are not part of the College testing program, and thus not included in the data for the College testing program.

December 10–15, 2021

• Total tests completed: 373
• Positive: 4
• Positivity rate: 0.93%

Four students tested positive at Health Services.

Students in isolation or quarantine housing: 3

December 2–9, 2021

• Total tests completed: 633
• Positive: 5
• Positivity rate: 0.79%

Two employees and two students tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

One student tested positive through Health Services. 

Students in isolation or quarantine housing: 2

November 29–December 2, 2021

• Total tests completed: 602
• Positive: 2
• Positivity rate: 0.33%

One employee tested positive through the asymptomatic testing program.

One student tested positive through Health Services. Contract tracing of close contacts is complete.

Two students tested positive at an off-campus site. Contract tracing of close contacts is complete.

Students in isolation or quarantine housing: 2

November 12–18, 2021

• Total tests completed: 622
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

November 5–11, 2021

• Total tests completed: 650
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

October 29–November 4, 2021

• Total tests completed: 623
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

October 22–28, 2021

• Total tests completed: 630
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

October 15–21, 2021

• Total tests completed: 625
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

October 8–14, 2021

• Total tests completed: 647
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

October 1–7, 2021

• Total tests completed: 642
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

September 24–30, 2021

• Total tests completed: 620
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

September 17–23, 2021

• Total tests completed: 721
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

September 10–16, 2021

• Total tests completed: 624
• Positive: 2
• Positivity rate: 0.32%

Two students tested positive through Health Services. Contact tracing of close contacts is complete.

Students in isolation or quarantine housing: 3

September 1–9, 2021

• Total tests completed: 672
• Positive: 2
• Positivity rate: 0.3%

One student and one employee tested positive. Contact tracing is complete, and all close contacts have been notified.

Students in isolation or quarantine housing: 1

August 28–31, 2021

• Total tests completed: 242
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

One on-campus employee tested positive at an off-campus site. Contact tracing is complete, and all close contacts have been notified.

Students in isolation or quarantine housing: 2

August 27, 2021

• Total tests completed: 335
• Positive: 1
• Positivity rate: 0.30%

One on-campus student tested positive and is in isolation housing. Contact tracing is complete, and there were no close contacts on campus.

August 18, 2021

• Total tests completed: 162
• Positive: 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

• ---

  FAQs

  Will students have to be tested for COVID-19 this fall 2021?

  Yes. Hampshire College is planning onboarding asymptomatic testing for all students after arrival to campus to start the fall semester. Local trends in vaccination status, test positivity percentage, and rate of COVID-19 infection in the community will help determine the need for any regular asymptomatic testing in the fall. The CDC does not currently recommend regular asymptomatic testing for fully vaccinated individuals.

  Symptomatic testing for COVID-19 will be available to all students as needed at Health Services on campus throughout the semester, including rapid antigen and PCR testing. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms may appear as soon as within two days of exposure and vary in severity from person to person.

  Will contact tracing be conducted? Will there be quarantine and isolation housing?

  Yes. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, the student, Hampshire College Health Services, and the UMass Contact Tracing Team will be notified. Contact tracing and Health Services will follow Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines for quarantine and isolation of any positive COVID-19 cases. We expect that a fully vaccinated group of students will have very few positive cases. Additionally, fully vaccinated individuals who are close contacts of a positive case of COVID-19 do not need to quarantine.

  Will on-campus counseling be provided for students?

  Yes. Hampshire College Counseling staff will provide both individual and group therapy on-campus in the least restrictive and safest way possible. There is a 24/7 professional mental health service available by phone to extend mental health support beyond the office hours of Counseling Services. Call 413.559.5458 for an appointment or to talk with a counselor.

  Will medical care at Health Services be in-person this fall?

  Yes. Hampshire Health Services has provided in-person medical care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. For fall 2021, Health Services is planning fully in-person medical visits and all visits will be by appointment, call 413.559.5458. Telehealth visits will still be an option, but used only if students have access issues.

Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic On-Campus

Second clinic May 16

Hampshire College’s second vaccine clinic will be held Sunday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. As with our first clinic, this clinic is open to any student, employee, and/or family member of our campus community. This includes our Cultural Village family. Please make an appointment for your vaccine by Friday at 8 p.m. using the process described below. Walk-ins will be accepted on the day of the clinic as supply allows.

Students who are vaccinated on May 16 will also self administer their departure COVID-19 test at Sunday’s clinic.

At this point in time, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine may be administered to anyone 16 or older; if under 18, a parent or guardian must provide authorization when the first dose is given. If the FDA approves the administration of the Pfizer vaccine in people 12 to 15 years of age, then we will open up appointments to people that age whose parents or guardians are eligible to attend the Hampshire clinic, until we reach capacity.

Employees, students, or their family members who received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine 21 to 42 days before May 16 may get their second dose at the campus clinic; if you are getting a second dose, be sure to bring your vaccination card. Employees, students, and family may also make an appointment for their first dose; however, Hampshire College will not have another clinic and you will need to acquire a second dose from one of the many other vaccination sites offering second doses.

Clinic Details:

• Sunday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Robert Crown Center.
• Students, employees, and family members aged 16 and older.
  • Family members may only enter the Robert Crown Center.

How to Sign up for an Appointment:

• Students, Staff and Faculty:
  • Go to the CoVerified website. If you have never used CoVerified, you will first have to go through the steps outlined in the "Setting up CoVerified" portion of the Asymptomatic Testing and CoVerified FAQ.
  • Enter your Hampshire email as log-in (e.g. xyz17@hampshire.edu).
  • Enter your username and password in the Hampshire log-in window.
  • Go to "Schedule Test" on the left navigation bar.
  • Select "Covid-19 vaccination" under the "Select a Test Type" drop down menu.
  • Select a time slot.
• To secure an appointment for a family member:
  • Email c19testing@hampshire.edu with their name(s) and birthdays) by Friday at 8 pm.

Arriving at the Clinic:

• Bring your vaccination card.
• If this is your first dose, print out and complete the consent form.
  • Bring a copy of your medical insurance card for first dose appointments.
• If you are not insured, you may still be vaccinated at the clinic.
• There is no charge for a COVID-19 vaccination.
• If you have trouble setting up CoVerified, scheduling an appointment, or have any questions about the clinic, please email c19testing@hampshire.edu. Thank you for helping keep yourself, your family, and our community safe!
   

Spring 2021

End-of-Semester and Exit Testing

Tuesday, April 27 is the last regular Testing Tuesday of the semester. All students must be tested within 72 hours of leaving campus. We ask that staff, faculty, and any students remaining on campus through Commencement please choose one test day per week in weeks with multiple testing days. The testing schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, April 27: Regular weekly Testing Tuesday for all student, staff, and faculty participants. Testing site open 9–11:30 a.m. and 12:30–3 p.m.
• Thursday, April 29: Students departing between Thursday (4/29) and Sunday (5/2). Testing site open 12:30–3 p.m. 
• Monday, May 3: Students departing between Monday (5/3) and Thursday (5/6). All students remaining on campus through Commencement (choose 1 test day per week), and all staff and faculty (choose 1 test day per week). Testing site open 9–11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, May 6: Students departing between Thursday (5/6) and Sunday (5/9). All students remaining on campus through Commencement (choose 1 test day per week), and all staff and faculty (choose 1 test day per week). Testing site open 12:30–3 p.m.
• Monday, May 10: Students departing between Monday (5/10) and Thursday( 5/13). All students remaining on campus through Commencement (choose 1 test day per week), and all staff and faculty (choose 1 test day per week). Testing site open 9–11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, May 13: All remaining students. All staff and faculty who were not tested on Monday, May 10. Testing site open 12:30–3 p.m.

>> Read the Asymptomatic Testing and CoVerified FAQ for more information

Please note: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination does not exempt a person from the testing program or other mandatory prevention measures (wearing face coverings, physical distancing, and hygiene practices to minimize spread of COVID-19).

And having had COVID: Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will have a 90-day exemption from testing. This is because residual viral genetic material in your body can cause a positive result even if you are not symptomatic or contagious. Individuals who are exempt must still perform routine symptom checking and practice all prevention measures, including distancing of at least six feet and wearing face covering at all times anywhere outside of your home.

Total Testing for Spring 2021

“Total Testing” is the number of all asymptomatic and symptomatic tests performed on campus for students, staff, and faculty.

• Total on-campus tests completed: 8,889
• Total on-campus positive tests: 8
• Overall positivity rate: 0.09%
• Current student active cases in isolation on or off campus: 0
• Current number of student close contacts in quarantine on or off campus: 0

Weekly Updates

Reported after all test results are in each week

May 7–13, 2021

• Total tests completed - 363
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

April 30–May 6, 2021

• Total tests completed - 170
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

April 23–29, 2021

• Total tests completed - 501
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

April 16–22, 2021

• Total tests completed - 534
• Positive - 1
• Positivity rate: 0.09%

On April 20, one student in the asymptomatic testing program tested positive. Contact tracing is complete, and all close contacts have been notified and are in quarantine.

April 9–15, 2021

• Total tests completed - 524
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

April 2–8, 2021

• Total tests completed - 528
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

March 26–April 1, 2021

• Total tests completed - 549
• Positive - 2
• Positivity rate: 0.36%

On March 30, one student and one employee tested positive in the asymptomatic testing program. Contact tracing is complete, and all close contacts have been notified.

March 19–25, 2021

• Total tests completed - 528
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

March 11–18, 2021

• Total tests completed - 539
• Positive - 1
• Positivity rate: 0.19%

On March 16, a student tested positive in the asymptomatic testing program. Contact tracing is complete, and there were six close contacts. All have been notified.

March 4–10, 2021

• Total tests completed - 539
• Positive - 1
• Positivity rate: 0.19%

On March 11, an employee tested positive in the asymptomatic testing program. One additional employee was determined to be a close contact through contact tracing and interviews with employees.

February 25–March 3, 2021

• Total tests completed - 548
• Positive - 2
• Positivity rate: 0.36%

On March 2, a student tested positive through symptomatic testing at Health Services. The student is in isolation housing on campus and all close contacts have been notified and are in quarantine.

On March 1, a student tested positive through symptomatic testing at Health Services. All close contacts have been notified, and the student is isolating off campus.

February 18–24, 2021

• Total tests completed - 542
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

February 11–17, 2021

• Total tests completed - 751
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

February 6–9, 2021

• Total tests completed - 283
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

January 30–February 5, 2021

• Total tests completed - 800
• Positive - 0
• Positivity rate: 0%

Active cases in isolation housing: 0 / Close contacts in quarantine housing: 0

January 19–29, 2021

• Total tests completed - 594
• Positive - 1*
• Positivity rate: 0.17%

An on-campus student tested positive in the asymptomatic testing program on January 29. The student is in isolation housing and contact tracing is complete. There are no on-campus close contacts.

* On February 7, the Broad Institute College Testing Program updated some COVID test results because a new, more sensitive testing process yielded positive results to individuals who had levels of virus that were not high enough to be transmissible. The updated results impacted some positive tests between January 25 and February 5. Some results that had been designated “positive” were changed to “inconclusive.” Broad recommended retesting any individual with a weak positive test, now changed to inconclusive. Any student or staff/faculty member impacted at Hampshire has been notified and follow-up testing has been done.

Total Testing for Fall 2020: August 10–December 1

“Total Testing” is the number of all asymptomatic and symptomatic tests performed on campus for students, staff, and faculty.

• Total on-campus tests completed: 5,571
• Total on-campus positive tests: 6
• Overall positivity rate: 0.11%

• Total off-campus positive tests: 2

Important Updates

On Campus

• One on-campus student tested positive for Covid-19 through asymptomatic testing. The student is in isolation off campus. Contact tracing is complete. (11/23)
• One on-campus student tested positive for Covid-19 through symptomatic testing on campus. The student is in isolation housing. Contact tracing is complete. (11/16)
• One student who lives on campus and one employee who lives off campus tested positive in the asymptomatic testing program this week. In both cases, contact tracing is in place, close contacts are notified and each individual is isolating in their home or campus isolation housing. (11/12)
• One student member tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The case was from symptomatic testing. The student is in isolation housing on campus. Contact tracing protocols have begun, all close contact are in quarantine, and all parties are cooperating. (11/11)
• One student tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The case was identified through the Hampshire College asymptomatic testing program. The student is self-isolated in campus quarantine housing and receiving support from Student Affairs. Contact tracing protocols have begun and all parties are cooperating. (10/28)

Off Campus

• One student tested positive for the novel coronavirus at an off-campus testing site. The student is isolating off campus. Contact tracing is complete, and there are no close contacts on campus. (11/16)
• One employee tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The case was identified from testing completed off campus. The staff member is quarantining in their residence. Contact tracing protocols have begun and all parties are cooperating. (10/29)

Weekly Updates

Reported after all test results are in each week

December 3, 2020

• Total tests completed - 245
• Positive - 0

November 26, 2020

• Total tests completed - 180 (asymptomatic and symptomatic testing)
• Positive - 1

November 19, 2020

• Total tests completed - 572 (asymptomatic and symptomatic testing)
• Positive - 1

November 12, 2020

• Total tests completed - 350 (asymptomatic and symptomatic testing)
• Positive - 3

November 5, 2020

• Total tests completed - 570
• Positive - 0

October 28, 2020

Message to Hampshire community

• Total tests completed - 320
• Positive - 1

October 22, 2020

• Total tests completed - 292
• Positive - 0

October 15, 2020

• Total tests completed - 326
• Positive - 0

October 8, 2020

• Total tests completed - 318
• Positive - 0

September 30, 2020

• Total tests completed - 330
• Positive - 0

September 24, 2020

• Total tests completed - 294
• Positive - 0

September 17, 2020

• Total tests completed - 335
• Positive - 0

September 10, 2020

• Total tests completed - 301
• Positive - 0

September 3, 2020

• Total tests completed - 317
• Positive - 0

August 29, 2020

• Total tests completed - 821
• Positive - 0

Testing Tuesdays Schedule

• August 25: Group A
• September 1: Group B
• September 8: Group A
• September 15: Group B
• September 22: Group A
• September 29: Group B
• October 6: Group A
• October 13: Group B
• October 20: Group A
• October 27: Group B
• November 3: Group A
• November 10: Group B
• November 17: Group A and B
• December 1: all students remaining on campus until December 5

Letters to the Community

• Update to Onboarding Testing of Students

  INITIAL FALL TESTING INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE

  On August 10, we started our initial asymptomatic COVID-19 testing of arriving students and the employees who work on campus and interact closely with others. It has been going very well, and we are continually refining the process to make it as smooth as possible. Thank you to the students and employees who have participated thus far, and a huge thank you to the staff who have organized and worked the testing site!

  Testing for new and returning students, as well as other staff and faculty who work on campus and interact closely with others, will continue this week.

  SCHEDULE FOR INITIAL STUDENT TESTING

  The schedule for initial student testing is as follows:

  • New Students (Early Move-In): Wednesday, August 19 from 1-3 p.m.
  • New Students (Regular Move-In & Commuter Students: Thursday, August 20 from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. 
  • Continuing Students & Commuter Students:
    • Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 
    • Sunday, August 23 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Late Arrivals & Commuter Students: Tuesday, August 25 from 9 a.m. - Noon.  

  INITIAL TESTING PROCEDURE

  1. Once you have completed moving in (while wearing a mask!), please report to the testing location at the Robert Crown Center (RCC) gymnasium. Make sure to sign the Broad Institute's consent form prior to arrival at the RCC.
  2. Please enter from the back of the RCC (by the parking lot/ring road). Bring your Hampshire OneCard (or another form of photo ID), and wear a mask covering your mouth and nose.
  3. When you arrive outside the RCC, staff will greet you. You will be asked to lower your mask and blow your nose to clear any debris (i.e. boogers) that might interfere with the testing. 
  4. Then you will put your mask back on, sanitize your hands, enter the building, and check in. Check in involves verifying your identity, on-campus address, Hampshire email, and other demographic information. (This demographic information may include your gender according to your health insurance or the State of Massachusetts, and your self-identified race and ethnicity. In the event of a positive test result, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) requires us to report this information for contact tracing and data reporting purposes. We recognize that the organizations to which we have to report information for public health purposes may not recognize the same identity constructs as Hampshire College, and so we need to report demographic information in a manner that DPH and local boards of health recognize.)
  5. You will then be given a sample tube and a swab and will go to an empty testing table. You will lower your mask so that it is covering only your mouth and swab the inside of each nostril three times. 
  6. Then you will put the swab in the sample tube, close the tube, raise your mask, put the sample tube in a collection rack, and sanitize your hands. 

  Observational staff and a medical provider will be on site observing the entire process, and can answer your questions. Results will be emailed to you within 24-36 hours. For more information on how you will receive your onboarding test results and what happens if your result is positive, please visit the Community Cares Standards part of the Fall 2020 FAQ.

  Once all students have completed initial testing, we will commence with our regular biweekly screening.

  TESTING TUESDAYS

  Regular biweekly testing ("Testing Tuesday!") will begin on Tuesday, August 25. Another communication will be sent to you shortly before this day.

  Appointment scheduling and results notification for Testing Tuesdays will occur through the CoVerified App. The next communication will explain how to download and register with the CoVerified App, how to schedule your appointment, what to expect on your Testing Tuesday, and how you will receive results for the rest of the semester. Check out the CoVerified app guide for more information on what to expect. There is also a guide for parents available.

  Students have been split into two groups based on housing arrangements (which we are calling "family units"). Half of each family unit will be tested each week as part of the regular screening. Commuter students will also be assigned to a group. 

  • Group A will begin biweekly testing on Tuesday, August 25. 
  • Group B will begin biweekly testing on Tuesday, September 1. 

  PREVENTION IS EVERYTHING!

  Testing is not a substitution for the behaviors that prevent the spread of COVID-19. We each should always behave as though we are asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19. Remember to always cover your mouth and nose and maintain at least six feet of physical distance when outside of your personal residence, screen yourself daily for symptoms of COVID-19, and continually implement the practices outlined in the Community Care Agreement (which all students must sign).

  If you have any questions related to COVID-19 testing, please email c19testing@hampshire.edu.

• Student Consent Form for COVID-19 Testing

  As part of a concerted approach to reduce and detect COVID-19 on campus in the fall, Hampshire is requiring on-boarding asymptomatic testing on the day of arrival for all students, biweekly testing of all students throughout the fall 2020 semester, and prompt contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine for any individuals who receive a positive symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19 result. Employees who work on campus and interact closely with others will also be enrolled in the testing program.

  Hampshire will provide testing through the Broad Institute Clinical Research Sequencing Platform Safe for School program. The test to be used is a PCR viral assay and involves a quick and easy self-administered nasal swab, with results available within 12-36 hours. The on-campus testing site, testing procedures, and scheduling are designed to meet all COVID-19 infection control standards for safety.

  We are aware that some colleges and universities are choosing to test more or less frequently. Our biweekly frequency and sampling approach are based on an extensive review of guidelines and recommendations from a variety of public health and higher education organizations and expert panels.

  Asymptomatic testing is used for ongoing monitoring and detection of asymptomatic COVID cases only; it does not serve as a substitute for preventative measures such as face coverings, physical distancing, daily symptom checks, and limiting close contacts. Asymptomatic testing, even if conducted daily, is imperfect and unable to detect every case of COVID-19. Hampshire has created this fall 2020 program as a way to monitor the campus regularly, while also having designed living and working environments to minimize potential exposures.

  PREVENTION

  Individuals should always act as though they are potentially asymptomatically infected with COVID-19, and must be diligent about always wearing face coverings, physical distancing, and other preventative personal hygiene measures. If our community adheres to these measures, the likelihood of exposure to COVID-19 is significantly decreased. If everyone in a classroom wears face coverings and maintains at least six feet of distance from others at all times, then no one will be designated as a close contact for contact tracing purposes. (Less than six feet of distance for 15 minutes or more, regardless of mask usage = close contact.)

  It is of the utmost importance that everyone completes a daily symptom check (http://hamp.it/dailyselfcheck) and does not leave their on-campus residence (or come to campus) if they have any symptom of COVID-19, including a milder symptom such as headache, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is extremely important that you call Health Services to schedule same day symptomatic testing (Monday-Friday; at UMass on the weekends) if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild they might be.

  If anyone in our community has a positive COVID-19 result through the Broad asymptomatic testing program or through symptomatic testing at another location, they will be required to isolate at home or in campus isolation housing for at least 10 days and to cooperate with public health officials in contact tracing.

  WHAT TO EXPECT

  Participating in the asymptomatic testing program includes registering with an application called CoVerified that allows for scheduling of tests and reporting of results. The app can be installed on a smartphone or accessed using a web browser. The app does not track the location of users. More information about the app, registration, and test scheduling will be sent to everyone in the asymptomatic testing program soon.

  Asymptomatic testing will occur at the Robert Crown Center (RCC) beginning the week of August 10. Students will be required to report to the RCC for their initial test on a schedule based on where they are traveling from: see the New Massachusetts Travel Order message. Remember: a negative test result is never a substitution for face coverings or physical distancing. If a student receives a positive result, they will be required to report to one of our designated isolation areas.

  All students must consent to testing prior to their first test. Please fill out this consent form prior to arriving at the RCC on your first testing day.

  The testing process will take no more than 5-10 minutes. You will be asked to blow your nose prior to coming to the test site (and sanitize or wash your hands afterward), either at home or outside of the RCC. You will then arrive at your scheduled time, check in, receive a test kit, and self-administer the swab q-tip while being observed by a trained testing support staff member. The swabbing process involves pulling your mask down from your nose (but still covering your mouth), and gently rotating the swab in each nostril three times.

  Regular biweekly testing will begin on August 25 and continue until Thanksgiving break. 

  Our student population will be split into two groups, divided within living areas. This will allow us to monitor all living areas weekly as each mod or dorm floor will have half of its residents tested each week.

  An Asymptomatic COVID Testing Team has been assembled, which will be coordinating these efforts. The team is led by Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Zauyah Waite with Health Services liaison and onsite clinician Sara Aierstuck. Please contact the Dean of Students Office with questions at deanofstudents@hampshire.edu.

• Massachusetts Travel Order

  Update to Travel Order

  Rhode Island and Hawaii have been removed from the list of lower-risk states. Find updates to the Travel Order here.

  New Massachusetts Travel Order

  On Friday Massachusetts Governor Baker announced a new travel order that will apply to all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts, effective August 1, 2020. Unlike the previous travel instruction, the new policy is mandatory. The new order will require modification of arrival policies for some students. The rest of this letter discusses these changes in more detail, but here is a summary:

  • Students arriving from “lower-risk” states: no changes to Hampshire College arrival policies.
  • Students arriving from all other areas who have a qualifying negative COVID-19 test result: no changes to Hampshire College arrival policies.
  • Students arriving from all other areas without a qualifying negative COVID-19 test result: tested upon arrival on campus and then remaining in quarantine in their room until a negative test result is posted – results are generally available within 24 hours.

  The State order applies to all people entering Massachusetts from areas other than those states designated as lower-risk. That list currently includes New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and Hawaii; the list may change as conditions evolve. The order requires that travelers to Massachusetts from any other state either produce a negative COVID-19 test result from a test administered within 72 hours prior to arrival in the state, or quarantine for 14 days. The order allows for testing after arrival in Massachusetts, but requires quarantine until a negative result is obtained.

  To conform to the new travel order, Hampshire has made the following changes to the arrival process for new and returning students. Because the travel order has different requirements based on point of origin, our policies also need to distinguish between students arriving from lower-risk states, and all others. Every student will be tested for COVID-19 on the day of arrival, regardless of where their travel originated.

  Students Arriving from Lower-Risk States

  • Come to campus at your assigned arrival time.
  • You may have up to two non-student guests assist with moving for the duration of the assigned arrival time, as long as the guests are also arriving from lower-risk states.
  • All students and guests will be required to provide and wear their own mask or facial covering for the duration of the move-in process.
  • Go to the campus test site to get a COVID-19 test at the assigned time.

  Students Arriving from Non-Lower-Risk States, with a Negative Test Result that meets the 72-hour Rule

  • Complete and submit the Massachusetts Traveler Form.
  • Follow the policies for Students Arriving from Lower-Risk States, above.

  Students Arriving from Non-Lower-Risk States, without a Negative Test Result that meets the 72-hour Rule

  • Complete and submit the Massachusetts Traveler Form.
  • Come to campus at your assigned arrival time.
  • Go immediately to the campus test site to get a COVID-19 test; you must wear a face-covering and stay more than six feet from everyone in the test site.
  • Move your belongings into your room. You may not have non-student guests assist unless they have a negative test result that meets the 72-hour rule (if they do have negative results, you are limited to two guests). The College will provide assistance in moving your belongings to your room.
  • Once moved in, you may not leave your room until you receive your test result, except to use the bathroom.
  • Meals will be delivered to your room until the test result is received.
  • Test results are expected within 24 hours, so you should have a test result prior to the beginning of classes; if the result is delayed for any reason, you will be able to begin class remotely.
  • If the test result is negative, you are released from quarantine and may leave your room.
  • If your test result is positive, you will be moved to the designated residential spaces on campus to be used for isolation of any student who tests positive for COVID-19.

  Families/Friends Traveling from Non-Lower-Risk States, without a Negative Test Result that meets the 72-hour Rule

  • In the case of travel to drop off students at college, the order reads: “If a parent/guardian/family member is entering Massachusetts only to drop off the student and then immediately leaves the campus and the state, then they would meet the exemption of transitory travel.”
  • As required by the State’s order, families and friends may not enter any campus building and must leave campus as soon as the student’s belongings have been unloaded from the vehicle. Assistance will be provided to help students move belongings into their rooms.

  Families/Friends Traveling from Non-Lower-Risk States, with a Negative Test Result that meets the 72-hour Rule

  • Anyone over the age of 18 must complete and submit the Massachusetts Traveler Form.
  • You may assist a student for the duration of the assigned arrival time (limit two people).

  If you have further questions about the details of moving into campus residences, please contact deanofstudents@hampshire.edu.

  Zauyah Waite

  Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

• COVID-19 Testing Program for Fall

  COVID-19 Testing Program for Fall During the fall 2020 semester, Hampshire College will be providing regular testing for asymptomatic COVID-19 infection through the Broad Institute Clinical Research Sequencing Platform Safe for School program. The test to be used is a PCR viral assay and involves a quick and easy self-administered nasal swab, with results available within 12-36 hours. The on-campus testing site, testing procedures, and scheduling are designed to meet all COVID-19 infection control standards for safety. The goal of asymptomatic testing is to monitor those in our community who could be at risk for exposure in order to get ahead of any outbreaks of COVID-19. Asymptomatic testing provides a snapshot of COVID-19 status at specific points in time. It is used for ongoing monitoring and detection of asymptomatic COVID cases only; it does not serve as a substitute for preventative measures such as face coverings, physical distancing, daily symptom checks, and limiting close contacts. Hampshire is requiring on-boarding testing on day of arrival for all students, biweekly testing of the community, and prompt contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine. These are all parts of a concerted approach to reduce and detect COVID-19 on campus this semester. The main target group for ongoing asymptomatic monitoring is our students because they are living in groups. All students will participate in a biweekly testing program. We are aware that some campuses are choosing to test more frequently. Our biweekly frequency and sampling approach are based on an extensive review of guidelines and recommendations from a variety of public health and higher education organizations and expert panels. Our student population will be split into two groups, divided within living areas. This will allow us to monitor all living areas weekly as each mod or dorm floor will have half of its residents tested each week. Employees who work on campus and interact closely with others will also be enrolled in the testing program, with frequency to be determined by the amount of face-to-face contact time an employee will have with students, colleagues, and/or the public. Many employees are not at a high risk for exposure because they travel from more controlled environments (single family households or smaller shared living situations), they do not live on campus, and they will not have close interactions with students, colleagues, or the public. Human Resources and division heads are in the process of identifying the employees who should be included in the asymptomatic testing program. Staff and faculty identified for testing will be contacted in the next couple of weeks. More information will be available to them about the testing process at that point. If you are uncertain if you have been identified, or you have not been identified and you think that you should be, please fill out this form. Asymptomatic testing, even if conducted daily, is imperfect and unable to detect every case of COVID-19. Hampshire has designed this fall 2020 program as a way to monitor the campus regularly, while also having designed living and working environments to minimize potential exposures. Individuals should always act as though they are potentially asymptomatically infected with COVID-19, and must be diligent about always wearing face coverings, physical distancing, and other preventative personal hygiene measures. If our community adheres to these measures, the likelihood of exposure to COVID-19 is significantly decreased. If everyone in a classroom wears face coverings and maintains at least six feet of distance from others at all times, then no one will be designated as a close contact for contact tracing purposes. (Less than six feet of distance for 15 minutes or more, regardless of mask usage = close contact.) It is of the utmost importance that everyone does daily symptom checks and does not come to campus (or leave their on-campus residence) if they have any symptom of COVID-19, including headaches, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is extremely important to not come to campus, and to get tested if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19. Staff and faculty who exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms, even seemingly very mild, should stay home (with pay), call their primary care provider for guidance, and are encouraged to request a symptomatic COVID-19 test through their health insurance. If you don’t have a primary care provider, you can find a test site here. Staff and faculty must also inform their supervisor and HR that they are experiencing symptoms. Students should contact Health Services to schedule same day symptomatic testing Monday through Friday and at UMass on weekends. If anyone in our community has a positive COVID-19 result through the Broad asymptomatic testing program or through symptomatic testing at another location, they will be required to isolate at home or in campus isolation housing for at least 10 days and to cooperate with public health officials in contact tracing. Participating in the testing program includes registering with an application (Coverified) that allows scheduling of tests and reporting of results. The app can be installed on a smartphone or accessed using a web browser. The app does not track the location of users. More information about the Coverified app, registration, and test scheduling will be sent to everyone in the asymptomatic testing program as we get closer to the first date of testing. Asymptomatic testing will occur at the Robert Crown Center (RCC) beginning the week of August 10. Regular biweekly testing will begin on August 25 and continue until Thanksgiving break. The testing process will take no more than 5-10 minutes out of your day. Individuals will arrive at the RCC at a scheduled time, check in, receive a test kit, and self administer the swab q-tip while being observed by a trained testing support staff member. An Asymptomatic COVID Testing Team has been assembled, which will be coordinating these efforts. The team is led by Dean of Students Zauyah Waite with Health Services liaison and onsite clinician Sara Aierstuck; Human Resources liaison Jake Toomey; Communications liaison Anne Pinkerton; project lead Marge Dunehew; technical administrators Ben Fellows, Sarah Steely, and Sara Aierstuck; site managers Barbara Brizzolari and Brad King; onsite tech support Rae Ann Wentworth-Cadieux; offsite tech support Kate MacGregor; and many testing support staff. More detailed information about the testing process will be shared with employees and students within the next two weeks. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact Jake Toomey at jtHR@hampshire.edu. Sincerely, Ed Wingenbach, President Jake Toomey, Director of Human Resources