Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
We continue to work closely with Lewis and Clark Public Health on the overall safety of the campus and particularly with students who have tested positive or are identified as a close contact. This week, we have been working with LCPH on plans to ensure that students in isolation or quarantine have the opportunity to exercise and that we have ways to help meet students' mental health needs. Additionally, the campus has identified more that 30 volunteers to help support these students as they work through the challenge of isolation and quarantine.
Reporting COVID-19 at Carroll College
The total number of new and active cases reported to the college can be found every Friday on the homepage of the Marching Back website at the very bottom of the page. Lewis and Clark Public Health is the first to know of positive cases, and they complete the contact tracing. Due to federal laws regarding the privacy of health information, we are not communicating any further information about positive cases.
New Contact Information for St. Peter’s Health
We have updated phone numbers and contact information for St. Peter’s Health throughout the Marching Back website. Students who feel ill should call the Carroll College Wellness Center (do not go to the center before calling first) from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday:
- Carroll College Wellness Center: 406-447-5441
Faculty, Staff, and students (after hours) who think they have COVID-19 or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should:
- Call your provider OR visit the Urgent Care clinic at the Regional Medical Center for a walk-in appointment
- Call 9-1-1 or visit the Emergency Department immediately if symptoms are life-threatening. The Emergency Department is open 24/7 for emergency medical needs.
COVID-19 testing information, including FAQs and community testing site details, can be found here.
Important Definitions
Terms associated with COVID-19 are very specific by LCPH. As a reminder, here are three key terms you should know:
- Isolation: As defined by Lewis and Clark Public Health, “Isolation refers to separating people who are sick from those who are not sick.” For the purposes of the Marching Back plan, isolation refers to the plan to move individuals with confirmed cases of COVID-19 into separate living arrangements where they can recover and not infect others.
- Quarantine: As defined by Lewis and Clark Public Health, “Quarantine refers to separating people who are, or may have been, exposed to COVID-19, but are not showing signs of illness.” For the purposes of the Marching Back plan, quarantine refers to the plan to move individuals who through contact tracing are known to have been exposed to COVID-19 and according to public health guidelines need to be separated from the community for 10-14 days from the last exposure date.
- Contact: LCPH defines close contact as exposure of 15 minutes or more within 6 feet of the person diagnosed COVID-19 positive, less than 48 hours before symptoms began. Contacts are required to quarantine for 10-14 days.
Food Service and COVID-19
COVID-19 has been a particular challenge in providing food service for the campus, and we are aware that changes need to be made in order to meet the needs of students while providing for the safety of the community.
To help guide guests through the dining hall, below are the options that you will find at each area of the dining hall:
- Grill will have a full meal option for both lunch and dinner
- Main entrée will have a minimum of one protein, one starch and two vegetables for both lunch and dinner
- Lunch and dinner will have special vegetarian options
- Pizza stations will be available with different options each day for both lunch and dinner
- Salad bar area will have prepared salads ready to go
- Sandwich bar will be available for lunch on a made-to-order basis
- Breakfast will be normal service
- All beverages will be canned or bottled water
Thank you for your patience as we work through issues to ensure we can safely offer in-person dining. Please send your questions and suggestions about food service to Ray Gullatt, Interim General Manager for Carroll Food Service at rayfeael.gullatt@sodexo.com.
Fireside Chat
Dr. Cech and other key administrators will be holding a Fireside Chat via Zoom on Wednesday, September 2 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students will receive the login information via email to their Carroll College student account. Students are invited to come hear about the ongoing plans for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and to ask questions about any other issues important to them this fall.
As always, please remain safe and healthy,
John E. Cech, Ph.D., President
Carroll College Marching Back Task Force