Risk Management of COVID-19 in the Residential Educational Setting: Lessons Learned and Implications for Moving Forward

Anna L. Cass, Meghan M. Slining, Connie Carson, Jason Cassidy, M. Carmela Epright, Ann E. Gilchrist, Kenneth Peterson, John F. Wheeler and Natalie S. The
Additional contact information
Anna L. Cass: Department of Health Sciences, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA
Meghan M. Slining: Department of Health Sciences, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA
Connie Carson: Division of Student Life, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA
Jason Cassidy: Division of Student Life, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA
M. Carmela Epright: Department of Philosophy, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA
Ann E. Gilchrist: Furman Earle Student Health Center, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC 29613, USA
Kenneth Peterson: Office of Academic Affairs, Department of Economics, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA
John F. Wheeler: Office of Academic Affairs, Department of Chemistry, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA
Natalie S. The: Department of Health Sciences, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-13

Abstract: With limited COVID-19-guidelines for institutions of higher education (IHEs), colleges and universities began the 2020–2021 academic year with varying approaches. We present a comprehensive COVID-19 prevention and mitigation approach at a residential university during the 2020–2021 academic year, along with campus SARS-CoV-2 transmission during this time. Risk management of COVID-19 was facilitated through (1) a layered approach of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention measures; (2) a robust committee structure leveraging institutional public health expertise; (3) partnerships with external health entities; and (4) an operations system providing both structure and flexibility to adapt to changes in disease activity, scientific evidence, and public health guidelines. These efforts collectively allowed the university to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission on campus and complete the academic year offering in-person learning on a residential campus. We identified 36 cases of COVID-19 among the 2037 in-person learners during the fall semester, 125 cases in the inter-semester break, and 169 cases among 2095 in-person learners during the spring semester. SARS-CoV-2 infection during the academic year was associated with gender ( p = 0.04), race/ethnicity ( p = 0.01), and sorority/fraternity membership ( p < 0.01). Infection was not associated with undergraduate vs. graduate student status, Division I athlete status, or housing type (all p > 0.05). A multi-faceted public health approach was critical for reducing the impact of COVID-19 while carrying out the university’s educational mission.

Keywords: COVID-19; prevention and mitigation; university student health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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