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IMPORTANT Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

En español

April 3, 2020

Dear Campus Community,

I am writing to provide important updates related to yesterday’s campus-wide communication.

According to their protocol, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) reached out to those who may have been in close contact with our employee who was recently diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19). Through this process, RIDOH has directed five (5) RIC employees and six (6) non-residential RIC students to be quarantined. RIDOH has not identified any other RIC faculty, staff or students to be quarantined.

We are deeply saddened by this news and will support each of them during this difficult time. We will also continue to follow the guidance of the RIDOH as we closely monitor this situation.

As I mentioned yesterday, the employee who last worked on campus on Thursday, March 26, attempted to report to work on Monday, March 30. As a result of the visual-verbal health screening, the employee was immediately sent home before accessing their work station. Today, in an abundance of caution, an outside vendor will be disinfecting and sanitizing the space in its entirety.

Take care of yourself and our campus community.

On Sunday, March 29, the college notified the campus community of the guidance issued by Governor Gina Raimondo regarding limitations on gatherings to no more than five people - the same five people. We want to remind everyone that it is critical that we continue to comply with social-distancing orders in order to take care of ourselves and our campus community.

Following guidance from the CDC, the college is recommending a number of mitigating activities each of us can take to minimize community transmission of COVID-19 and to promote a healthy campus environment:

  • Create habits and reminders to avoid touching your face and cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze (and immediately dispose of the tissue).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, and if soap and water are not available use 60-95% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, such as doorknobs, tables, desks and handrails.
  • Limit food sharing.
  • Stop handshaking and use other noncontact methods of greeting.
  • Limit interactions to five (5) people – the same five people.
  • Maintain distance (approximately six feet or two meters).
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.
  • Use teleconferencing and videoconferencing for meetings when possible. If not, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces.
  • Stay home from work and school when you feel sick.

Stay Informed. Stay Connected.

As the virus and the response continues to evolve, make sure to check our website or send us an email if you have any questions: stayinformed@ric.edu.

Thank you!

As always, I want to thank you for everything that you are doing to support the college and each other during this difficult time. Please take good care of yourself and your families.

Yours in education,

Frank D. Sánchez
President

Page last updated: July 24, 2020