BUCSAFE Update from the President

Cases on campus and off are drastically declining. Thank God! The University Pandemic Task Force has been monitoring community transmission rates very closely, and Charleston County has finally moved to the Substantial level of transmission after many, many weeks of High levels of cases, percent positivity, hospitalizations, and deaths. Berkeley and Dorchester counties remain at the High level, but our team will continue to watch as those numbers (hopefully and prayerfully) decline in the coming days. As a reminder, the following table indicates how these levels are calculated. 

Here’s some good news for your Wednesday! Due to the drop in on-campus COVID cases, the task force has recommended additional steps forward as we approach the long-anticipated end of this global pandemic. Event guidelines have been updated to reflect just that! As of this week, event proposals are no longer required for events that abide within set room capacities, limit outside guests, and/or do not involve live music. If any event does include those, organizers must still submit an event request form at this time. Review the updated FULL event guidelines here. 

This is not the time to end all BUCSAFE guidance, but we can be encouraged at the signs of progression to normalcy. Help us move that needle even quicker by uploading your proof of vaccination or a positive COVID test result from the last 90 days to our Community Immunity portal. We are closing in on our goal of 70% immunity on campus and a mask-burning party.  

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of February 23, 2022: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 17
  Of these 17 students, 1 is being housed on campus,  and 16 are isolating off campus. 13 are confirmed positive.
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 9
  Of these 9 students, 3 are being housed on campus,  and 6 are quarantining off campus.  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 3 (2 confirmed positive)
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 2

ISOLATION is reserved for actively symptomatic or known positive cases, and QUARANTINE is reserved for those who have been identified as a close contact of someone who is positive or who has symptoms. People in QUARANTINE are NOT ill – we are simply watching them to ensure they do not become symptomatic. LEARN MORE

Community Immunity Status

As of February 23, 2021:

• Students: 51.8%
• Faculty and Staff: 92%
• TOTAL: 58.1%

Our goal is to reach 70% community immunity on campus, which includes proof of vaccination and/or evidence of natural immunity among those who have recently been infected with COVID-19.  Natural immunity includes those who have had a positive COVID test in the last 90 days.

Health Resources

Should you need a COVID test, MAKO Medical continues to offer free, on-site PCR testing in the football stadium parking lot each weekday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.    

Our on-campus healthcare partner, Fetter Health Care Network, brings their mobile clinic to the Student Center lot every Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. In addition to walk-up appointments for your medical needs, Fetter offers immunizations and rapid testing with advance notice. To book vaccines, COVID tests, or to schedule an appointment off campus, call 843-466-6129.  

Please continue to reach out to Dr. Laurel  Glover  if you’re experiencing symptoms, have been exposed to the virus, or otherwise find it necessary to pursue testing. Do NOT go to class or to work if you feel sick.  Take care of yourself and others by staying home.   

Stay #BUCSAFE

We have one more week (and two days) until Spring Break begins! Following the break, the task force and I will only send BUCSAFE communication on an as-needed basis rather than each Wednesday. This has been a long journey on some rough seas. But God has brought us through it all and will continue to do so. Let’s continue to pray for the end of this pandemic. Lord willing, we’re almost there.  

Keep doing what you’re doing – for the good of others and the glory of God! 

Related Stories