August 21, 2020
Dear OU Housing Family:
On behalf of the OU Community, welcome to campus! You are here! These three words mean so much more this year than ever before. The steps you have taken to move into on-campus housing and attend classes in person have not been easy. Thank you for taking a COVID-19 test and completing the university’s health screening before arriving to campus. We also appreciate the patience and understanding you and your families displayed regarding our visitation hours during Move-In. Your cooperation with all of these changes has helped build a welcoming and supportive campus environment.
As a member of our Housing family, we would like to share with you the results of our COVID-19 testing efforts. As of today, 4,836 Vault testing codes were distributed to people currently living or expected to live in the Residence Halls, the Residential Colleges, and Traditions Square Apartments. Of our expected fall population number, so far we have obtained COVID-19 test results for 4,516 residents, either through Vault, OU Health Services, or from other reputable clinics. Because students will continue moving into OU residential facilities over the next few weeks, the testing process is still being conducted for the remaining 237 students yet to move in.
Test results by the numbers as of August 21, 2020:
- Negative: 4,441
- Positive: 62
- Inconclusive: 13
Among the 4,516 students who have completed the required COVID-19 testing as of August 21, 1.37% tested positive. The percentage of students who tested positive for COVID-19 is in alignment with a predictive model developed by a team of OU researchers, which concluded that there would be an approximate 1.5% positive testing rate among students on August 4 and 5 – the dates that the majority of the saliva-based tests were taken.
Vault notified the respective health department to appropriately report and trace positive cases. Students whose results were inconclusive were required to retest. Students without a test result either moved into temporary housing or remained at home until cleared to come to campus.
Last night we were notified of our first confirmed positive COVID-19 case within the residential halls. The individual is in self-isolation, and our system of contact tracing is in motion. All those who have had direct contact with the individual will be notified by the Cleveland County Health Department and/or Goddard Health Services. The university is closely monitoring COVID-19 data and is developing an online dashboard, which is set to launch next week.
Again, we’re so glad you’re here. Making it to this moment was a group effort; likewise, remaining together on campus will take a commitment from all members of our community, including YOU. Please remember the top four ways to stop the spread of COVID-19:
- Wear a mask.
- Frequently wash your hands.
- Practice social distancing.
- Stay at home when you are sick, either your residence hall or apartment.
In addition to these four directions, we have created a Resident Care Plan that we encourage each member of our community to review before we start the fall semester. If we all commit to these practices, then we can continue to work toward staying OU TOGETHER this fall.
Please direct questions about Move-In testing requirements to OU Housing at housinginfo@ou.edu / (405) 325-2511. If you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, please contact Goddard Health Services at (405) 325-4441.
Sincerely,
Dr. ShaRhonda Maclin
Assistant Dean of Students and Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life
