Health and Medicine
According to the latest numbers released this morning by The Virginia Department of Health there are 30 new confirmed or probable coronavirus cases being attributed to the Roanoke Valley. State Health officials report 11 new cases in Roanoke City, 16 new cases in Roanoke County, 2 new cases in Salem and 1 new case in Botetourt County.
A fifth employee at Mac and Bob’s in Salem has tested positive for the coronavirus, temporarily closing the restaurant until September 1. The iconic Salem eatery reopened after one day’s closure and a deep cleaning earlier this week, after four employees had tested positive for the coronavirus, but WDBJ-7 reports that a fifth positive test led to this longer closure. Mac and Bob’s will then reopen for pick up and curbside orders for a 14-day period per VDH guidelines, beginning September 1, due to the fact that no “back of the house” employees have tested positive.
The Virginia Department of Health attributes 35 new COVID-19 cases in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24-hour reporting period: 10 new cases in Roanoke City, 14 in Roanoke County, two in Salem and nine in Botetourt County. This comes one day after 52 new cases were reported in the same region. Statewide, the VDH reports more than 117,000 confirmed or probable cases, but the seven-day moving average of new cases has been slowly declining since mid-July.
Thousands of Carilion Clinic employees got some welcome news today: those who have been furloughed or seen their pay reduced since mid-April will soon be made whole again. In a video message to all Carilion workers, CEO Nancy Agee says the cutbacks, while painful, have helped the health system pull through, and as of September 13th, Carilion will restore full hours and full pay to all employees. Agee says patient volumes are now back to about 90 percent of pre-COVID levels. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
NEWS RELEASE: Roanoke, Va. (Aug. 28, 2020) — Following a mid-April announcement of reduced pay and furloughs, Carilion Clinic announced today that hours and base pay for all employees will be reinstated effective Sunday, Sept. 13. This comes in the wake of ramped up operations and improving financials for the system.
In March, Carilion proactively halted non-emergent services and procedures in an effort to protect the health and safety of patients, employees and the public in the early days of the pandemic. That pause in services lasted for nearly two months. During that time, Carilion had to respond to rapidly shifting operational needs, resulting in some pay cuts and furloughs. Since ramping up operations in May, patient volumes have gradually returned to a new normal at approximately 90% of pre-COVID levels.
“We’ve rallied together in so many ways to keep our community healthy and safe,” said Nancy Howell Agee, president and CEO of Carilion. “The tough decisions we made early on are helping us manage through very challenging financial consequences. As our finances improved, we began restoring hours and pay progressively.”
While the threat of the pandemic is still very real, the commitment of Carilion’s more than 13,000 employees bolstered the system’s response and ability to persevere through great uncertainty.
NEWS RELEASE: Today, Radford University announced the interim suspension of Theta Chi Fraternity – Iota Zeta Chapter. The interim suspension stems from COVID-19 related violations, including endangering conduct by hosting off-campus gatherings. In addition to the chapter’s interim suspension, eight members, who are Radford students, have been placed on interim suspension.
Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. said, “As a University, we have been very clear with individual students and all organizations that we have a no tolerance policy for the blatant disregard of public health guidelines and University expectations, as well as the safety and well-being of our broader community. This fraternity has admitted to hosting gatherings, but is also suspected of ridiculing those who follow public health guidance, such as wearing face coverings, and misleading Radford University and public health officials. It has been reported that the local organization is allegedly advising its members and those attending their gatherings to not seek testing or to only do so outside of the local area in an effort to hide potential positive cases. This behavior is not reflective of our Highlander values and not consistent with the caring and responsible nature of the Radford family.”
Vice President for Student Affairs Susan P. Trageser, Ed.D. added, “There is a direct link between the recent increase in confirmed cases and off-campus gatherings, which clearly demonstrates the dangerous nature and potential consequence for this type of irresponsible activity. This reckless behavior is especially troubling given prior action by Radford University’s Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Executive Boards to declare their unified commitment for operating in a safe and responsible manner. I am confident that the careless actions of Theta Chi Fraternity – Iota Zeta Chapter are not the norm across our Greek Life organizations, which have pledged to uphold their prior commitment.”
The local chapter was founded on November 17, 2001 and was previously in good standing. Due to the interim suspension, the local chapter must cease all operations and will be afforded a conduct conference or hearing as soon as it is practicable. The individual students will also have due process through the Office of Student Standards and Conduct. The University has notified the national office regarding the specific actions of the local chapter and the eight members. Through the national process, they may be subject to additional disciplinary actions and related sanctions.
According to the latest numbers released this morning from the Virginia Department of Health there are 32 new probable or confirmed coronavirus cases being attributed to the Roanoke Valley. State health officials report 11 new cases in Roanoke City, 6 new cases in Roanoke County , 9 new cases in Salem, and 6 new cases in Botetourt County. This comes after just 7 cases were attributed to the Roanoke Valley.
Roanoke College is postponing the phase-in of its planned in-person instruction. College President Mike Maxey says in a letter to the college community that 15 students have tested positive for COVID-19; they are quarantine, as are 40 students who have been exposed to someone with the virus. Roanoke has moved all classes on line until September 14.
Here is college President Mike Maxey’s letter to the Roanoke College community:
Dear Maroon family –
Today I write to inform you of plans to push back the1 arrival of our second phase of students as we continue to navigate our care of the students currently on campus, particularly those with positive cases of COVID-19.
Today, Monday, August 24, the number of students who have tested positive for COVID-19 is 15. Currently, 10 students who have tested positive are in isolation in Catawba Hall and two in their apartments in Afton Hall. The other students are in isolation off-campus. A total of 40 students — who have been in contact with or exposed to someone who has tested positive — are in quarantine. Students in quarantine are not necessarily carrying COVID-19. Students are in quarantine as a precautionary step for their safety and that of others around them. Student Health employees are monitoring our isolated and quarantined students closely and working to ensure they are well cared for.
Classes online until September 14
Online classes for all students will be extended until September 14 in order for us to carefully manage testing and care for students on campus. Students, whether living on campus or off campus, will attend their classes online. Courses that are currently meeting in-person will transition to online only over the next few days. Instructors will contact their students to provide details.
Second phase of move in for all students – weekend of September 11-12
We are now planning for all remaining students to move in on the weekend of September 11-12. We want to be able to manage, control, quarantine and limit travel over the next two weeks as we evaluate plans for online vs. in-person instruction. We will review positive cases and the number of students in quarantine and isolation on a daily basis together with local and state health officials.
Roanoke College will announce a final decision on whether or not we will complete the fall semester online on September 4. As noted, this decision will be made together with public health officials and based on health outcomes on campus. If we continue to see an increase in COVID-19 cases over the next two weeks, we will announce any changes by the September 4 date.
In order to care for the students currently on campus, no additional students will be allowed to move into campus housing. Students who have not yet moved to campus should remain at home. Please note that no move-in exceptions or special permission will be granted.
Guidelines for students on and near campus
We continue to very strongly stress the importance of our new guidelines and policies, developed to keep all of us safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout the College community. It bears repeating:
- Student behavior is a strong determining factor in the spread of COVID-19.
- Do not host parties. Large gatherings and parties that create a health and safety risk are a violation of Roanoke College policy, a violation of Virginia law and against CDC guidelines.
- Do not go to off-campus houses, apartments, restaurants and bars. Overall, we ask that you avoid leaving campus.
- Practice safe physical distancing of six feet separation between individuals. All students, faculty and staff must maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another at all times when possible whether indoors or outdoors.
- College policy requires fabric face coverings to be worn on campus, especially in common areas where social distancing can be a challenge, such as The Commons, classrooms, hallways, lounges and even outside if close to others. The use of cloth face coverings or face masks is a critical step for communities and individuals to take to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus to others. See the policy.
- All students, faculty and staff are required to submit a Health Assessment every day. This has proven helpful in identifying symptoms and getting students tested quickly.
I recognize this is yet another change to the schedule for many of our students and families. For that I apologize but it is a necessary step to make sure we manage our community and the increase in COVID-19 cases carefully. I know that many of you have already made plans for travel. I am deeply sorry for the necessity to make changes in your plans.
If we need to move to full online instruction, we will provide students with ample time to arrange for plans to return home. Of course we will ensure that any students who cannot return home are well taken care of on campus, as we did last spring. In the event that students are sent home, room and board charges will be prorated.
Students who are currently on campus are allowed to remain unless we need to send students home at a future point. We are providing our regular services for on-campus students.
Please visit roanoke.edu/returntoroanoke for updated information and answers to questions you may have. Additional questions may also be sent to questions@roanoke.edu.
As we work to navigate these challenging times, we appreciate the support of all Roanoke Maroons.
According to the latest numbers released this morning from the Virginia Department of Health there are 7 new probable or confirmed coronavirus cases being attributed to the Roanoke Valley. State health officials report 2 new cases in Roanoke County, 4 new cases in Salem and 1 new case in Botetourt County. There are no new cases in Roanoke City.
Nine days of move-in are complete at Virginia Tech, and as the university begins classes today, students living on campus have some new responsibilities – and off-campus students have fewer dining options. Among the many contract provisions for on-campus students, one states they will adhere to health safety guidelines, like wearing masks indoors except when in their rooms, bathrooms or when eating.
Then there are the dining services, which consistently receive top-tier rankings among U.S. colleges. With social distancing required, there is greatly reduced capacity in Tech’s dining halls. As an example, Turner Place typically accommodates 800 people at a time for dining. The new social distancing capacity is 300, and as a result, the halls are open only to students residing in campus housing.
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