COVID-19 Update: Increasing Positivity Rate at DU and Throughout Colorado

Dear DU community members,

As we shared yesterday, the state of Colorado and city of Denver are both experiencing significant increases in positive cases of COVID-19. Presently, every one out of one-hundred persons in Denver is positive. Given this reality, we expected to see an increase of positive cases on our campus as well. Unfortunately, that prediction is proving to be true. Today, our testing has revealed the highest number of students positive for COVID-19 in one day. These numbers, which reflect both on-campus and off-campus students, will be reflected on our dashboard over the next few days. All individuals have been notified and are following our strict isolation and quarantine protocols. Contact tracing is also underway.

This increase in positive cases is not isolated to our campus by any means. Across Colorado, 28 counties are seeing a high enough positivity rate to begin considering a second stay-at-home order. And, starting Sunday evening, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., the city of Denver is asking everyone to stay at home. These developments create hardship, anxiety and uncertainty for many—including our own friends and family members. We must do our part to prevent the need for additional actions. 

The next two weeks are critical. To ensure the health and safety of ourselves, and of others, we must all be exceptionally committed to behaviors proven to slow the spread of the virus. I am confident the DU community will rise to this challenge because we have managed these crises with a sense of calm before, and I know this time won’t be any different. We know what to do to keep ourselves and each other safe.

To our residential students specifically: You can make a profoundly positive impact on curbing the spread of the virus by keeping your in-person social contacts to very small groups, or “COVID-19 pods,” as we’ve come to know them. Please limit your contact to your roommates and/or suitemates until we see the trend in positives shift downward. And as always, please wear your masks, keep physically distant, and wash your hands.

I know this has taken a toll on our community members. Students, the Health and Counseling Center and Student Outreach and Support are here to help. Faculty and staff, please utilize our employee assistant program, SupportLinc.

It’s been a long, challenging week after a long, difficult year. Thank you for your enduring commitment to our community’s health and wellbeing.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Haefner
Chancellor