Student affairs announced a “quiet period” in response to rising COVID-19 cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated holiday gathering guidance and local Air Reserve Base is categorized as “red” due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. Videographer Samantha Schindler has today’s news in :90.

With a fall surge of coronavirus infections gripping the U.S., many Americans are forgoing tradition and getting creative with celebrations.

On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its holiday guidance, noting the virus crisis is worsening and that small household gatherings are “an important contributor.” The CDC said older adults and others at heightened risk of severe illness should avoid gathering with people outside their households.

Guest lists for indoor feasts should be small enough so people can sit 6 feet apart while unmasked and eating, she said. Open the windows to keep air circulating.

Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and the Minneapolis St. Paul Air Reserve Base in Minnesota are among nine U.S. Air Force bases in the world that have been categorized as a “red” installation due to the rise of active COVID-19 cases in areas surrounding the bases.

The red categorization means any civilian or service member would have to meet specific requirements or have an approved waiver to either leave the bases for another military installation or arrive for duty, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Department officials won’t comment on the number of coronavirus cases on bases.

According to Ellsworth’s protocols, off-base gyms and fitness centers are off-limits and base personnel are prohibited from dining at restaurants or going to bars, clubs, casinos, breweries, concerts, festivals or anywhere with a large crowd.

Ellsworth requires all personnel to wear face masks on base and when going into any off-base retail establishment.

Eighty positive COVID-19 cases were reported last week by the University of St. Thomas’ Center for Well-Being Monday, the highest total recorded all year and a 58-case increase from the previous week. Two positive cases came from employees and 78 came from students; two of the 80 cases were from the Minneapolis campus.

With this increase in positive cases and Thanksgiving break coming up, Student Affairs announced that the university will be implementing a “quiet period” effective immediately for the next two weeks in an email to the St. Thomas community Monday.

“St. Thomas’ contact tracing team advises that off-campus gatherings related to the university’s recent Fall Break, as well as Halloween parties, drove several of last week’s positive cases,” the COVID-19 Dashboard message said.

During the “quiet period,” campus will remain open but some restrictions will be in place: all clubs and organizations are advised to conduct virtual meetings through Thanksgiving break and in-person gatherings must be limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Students should also limit their interaction where possible to people they live with, as well as minimizing non-essential activities.

Samantha Schindler can be reached at schi6082@stthomas.edu.