Colby College is committed to transparent communication regarding our Covid-19 testing efforts and their effect on campus health and safety. This webpage is updated daily and provides an overview of these efforts, including the number of tests administered as well as confirmed positive and negative cases, broken out by student, faculty, and staff. In accordance with guidance from the Maine CDC, Colby has developed a robust contact tracing program, and any individuals known to be in contact with a Colby community member who tests positive for Covid-19 will be notified alongside recommendations to prevent further infection and spread.
Alert Level | Confirmed New Weekly Positive Cases | Symptom Surveillance | Compliance with Mitigation Efforts |
---|---|---|---|
Green | Few identified or contained cases | Seasonal Norm | Very High |
Yellow | Limited number of cases | 10% above seasonal norm | High |
Orange | Modest outbreak | 20% above, stable | Moderate |
Red | Significant outbreak | 30% above, daily increases | Low |
Alert levels may be applied to residence halls or other identified cohorts.
This dashboard is updated at 4 p.m. ET once per day based on the data received by the Broad Institute at that time. In some cases, previous day’s data will be updated based on when data from the Broad are received. The dashboard data reflect the Broad Institute’s updated detection protocol.
Colby’s testing data reflects two key aspects of our robust testing program: the number of tests the College conducts and the frequency of those tests. Since Colby tests the entire community of approximately 3,000 faculty, staff, and students two times a week, it is expected that there will be more positive test results than there would be if the College’s testing program were less intensive.
The number of positive and negative cases may not add to the total case number due to inconclusive test results or positive cases being tested multiple times.
An inconclusive test result indicates the test sample was not able to be properly performed. An inconclusive test result does not indicate a test is presumptive positive, positive, or negative. Individuals who receive an inconclusive test result are retested within 24 hours of receiving the result. The inconclusive result was produced for one or many of the reasons below.
To protect the privacy of members of our community and comply with health privacy laws, no additional information will be provided about individuals’ identities.
Green is the regular operating level. Colby’s programs and activities will be open, with modifications such as fewer seats in dining halls, classrooms, and other spaces; limits on group size; buildings requiring ColbyCard access, and use of directional signage in buildings. Everyone will be asked to practice distancing, wear face coverings, and follow guidance for proper hygiene.
Operating at the yellow level will lead to several changes. Classes of 50 or more students will move to remote instruction. There will be lower seating capacities in the dining halls. Face coverings will be required in residence hall corridors and bathrooms. Increased cleaning measures will go into effect with multiple disinfectant treatments seven days a week in residence halls, common areas, laundry facilities, and bathrooms. High-touch areas in dining halls will also be cleaned more frequently. Small group (50 people or fewer) religious services may be held indoors with attendees following physical distancing practices. Religious services of 50 or more people will be held outdoors or in larger venues with attendees following physical distancing practices. Additionally, the Colby College Museum of Art will be open to Colby students, faculty, and staff with limited capacity and timed entry.
Operating at the orange level will lead to scheduled grab-and-go dining rather than seated dining in dining halls, pick-up and drop-off only in the library, more limited access to academic and other campus buildings, closure of common areas in residence halls, classes of 25 or more moving to remote instruction, as well as other changes.
Operating at the red level will lead to the closure of dining halls with food being delivered to students in residence, the closure of campus buildings, the cancellation of all events and gatherings, classes moving to remote instruction, as well as other changes.