This is Bwog’s weekly Roundup of how COVID is progressing in the Columbia community.

At Columbia

This week, there were 7551 tests conducted with 37 tests coming back positive for a 0.49% positivity rate. The positivity rate is slightly lower than last week’s positivity rate of 0.37%. There were 375 fewer tests conducted this week compared to last week. 52 people are in isolation, 88  are in quarantine, and 2 are hospitalized. This week’s positivity rate is slightly higher than the cumulative positivity rate (0.40%).

Of the 6548 tests conducted at the Morningside, Manhattanville, and Lamont-Doherty campuses, 0.41% of students are positive, 1.02% of faculty and staff are positive, and 0% of other affiliates are positive. Of the 1003 tests done at the CUIMC campus, 0.00% of students are positive and 0.61% of faculty and staff are positive.

Since June 22, 2020, Columbia has conducted 215,479 tests with 857 being positive for a 0.40% positivity rate

At Barnard

This week, there were 2475 tests conducted with 1 test coming back positive for a 0.04% positivity rate. The positivity rate is lower than last week’s positivity rate of 0.17%. There were 188 more tests conducted this week compared to last week. 3 people are in isolation and 9 are in quarantine. 

Since August 8th, 2020, Barnard has conducted 46,020 tests with 108 being positive for a 0.23% positivity rate

In NYC

Currently, all residents 16 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine in New York.

In New York State, 7,705,087 residents (38.6% of the population) have received one dose of the vaccine, and 5,085,215 residents (25.5% of the population) are fully vaccinated. In New York City, 3,496,983 residents received one dose and 2,300,094 are fully vaccinated. Pharmacies administering vaccines will increase to 40,000 by mid-April in a push by the federal government to get more of the population vaccinated. The CDC still recommends you should still avoid medium or large-sized characters even if fully vaccinated. If you need help finding a vaccine appointment, try using this link (step by step guide here), testing your luck at Lerner, this link, this link, and refreshing while praying to God. 

New York City is continuing to open up. Starting April 1, Governor Cuomo has announced that the required quarantine period for out-of-state travelers will be dropped. As of Friday, March 19th, indoor dining capacity has increased to 50%. Restaurants and bars still have to close all seated dining from 11 PM to 5 AM daily, with takeout still being available after. Masks are required in all venues unless eating or drinking. Public schools of all grade levels have now resumed in-person learning. From March 22nd, outdoor gatherings at private residences will be capped at 25 people.

Currently, New Yorkers are expected to maintain 6 feet of distance or wear a face-covering/ mask when this is not possible, like on public transportation.

Campus via Bwarchives