Dear MMA Community,

We are in the first week of our mid-semester surveillance testing of all students.  As expected, we have learned of some asymptomatic positive cases.  I anticipate we will learn of more as the testing continues into next week.

We currently have 5 active cases and these individuals are in isolation.  We have 19 identified close contacts in quarantine and they will be tested during their quarantine period.  In addition, in several cases, we have asked additional students and staff to be tested last week and this week due to exposure to a positive case which does not meet the criteria for a close contact.  So far, these “exposure” cases have not resulted in any positive test results but we ask them to practice full social distancing and be tested out of an abundance of caution.

Again, we anticipated this would happen, as community spread of the virus continues around Maine.  We have additional quarantine housing capacity this semester and can handle more cases as a result.

We have only 3 weeks left in this semester  – please be vigilant in practicing the 12 Ways so we can finish the semester on campus!  A positive diagnosis at this point could derail your summer plans and impact many others in the community.  As a reminder, the best way to reduce your exposure to COVID is to follow procedures, wear your mask, maintain social distancing, and keep your social circle very small.

We update the COVID dashboard whenever we have a positive result  – please check this before believing rumors of an outbreak!  The dashboard is on the lower section of this website page: https://mainemaritime.edu/spring-2021/health-safety/

We will send out another update at the end of next week after we have completed this round of surveillance testing.

Please contact me if you have further questions.

Elizabeth True
VP of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs