Fifteen positive COVID-19 cases were reported by St. Thomas’ Center for Well-Being during the week ending April 1.

Thirteen came from the St. Paul campus and two came from the Minneapolis campus; fourteen were students and one was an employee.

Only one case was reported during the previous week, ending March 25, but The Center for Well-Being anticipated a slight rise in infections with St. Thomas students returning from spring break.

Despite decreasing case numbers, St. Thomas reminded the community that COVID-19 is still present and encouraged getting tested as needed. Positive test results must be reported to the university.

Masks are no longer required in some campus spaces, but they are still required in classrooms, labs, the St. Thomas shuttle and The Center for Well-Being.

Those who still need or choose to wear a mask may continue to do so. The university asks that the community respect those who choose to wear masks and recommends that everyone keep a mask on-hand.

As of April 4, The Center for Well-Being reported a 92.3% university-wide vaccination rate with a 95.8% rate among employees and a 91.3% rate among students.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported on April 3 that 66.3% of Minnesotans completed the vaccine series, and 45.8% are up to date with their vaccine.

St. Thomas releases COVID-19 data every Monday on the COVID-19 dashboard, which also offers protocol updates and information about reporting positive cases and getting vaccinated.

Lauren Price can be reached at lauren.price@stthomas.edu.