As COVID-19 restrictions relax, University officials evaluate infection rates

Though St. Thomas requires that all community members get the COVID-19 vaccine, some have opted out of the mandate for medical, religious or conscientious reasons. Even with a 88% vaccination rate as of September 29, the University Action and Response team, a group of community leaders advising St. Thomas officials on pandemic prevention protocol, is monitoring COVID-19 infections and is prepared to tighten on-campus restrictions if needed.

St. Thomas won’t require COVID-19 vaccines, for now

St. Thomas will not require community members working or learning on campus to get the COVID-19 vaccine “at this time,” a Wednesday email from the University Action and Response Team to St. Thomas community members said. However, all students and employees will be required to report their vaccination status to St. Thomas before the fall semester.

Masks still required on campus following CDC announcement

St. Thomas will continue to require face coverings and social distancing protocols despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance and Gov. Tim Walz lifting Minnesota’s statewide mask mandate, according to an email from the University Action and Response Team Friday morning.

BREAKING: Campus events canceled amid Monday night curfew

All classes and events on-campus starting after 5 p.m. are canceled, an alert from St. Thomas Public Safety to the campus community said following Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement of a 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew Monday night for three counties that include Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis and St. Paul.

St. Thomas contact tracer urges students: ‘Please report.’

St. Thomas has reported 231 total positive cases through Oct. 9, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. St. Thomas contact tracers urge students to report test results with the intention of stopping the spread, not punishing students. Chief Story Editor and Social Media Manager Mia Laube has the story.