St. Catherine University is actively monitoring COVID-19 cases within the community and coordinating closely with public health officials to make informed decisions related to our campus policies and procedures.
Ramsey County is currently at a medium COVID-19 community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicating that individuals who are at high risk for severe illness and/or immunocompromised should consider masking when indoors.
Current Case Data
Last updated: June 28, 2022
| Positive cases reported from June 11, 2022 - June 17, 2022 | 4 | Green |
| Testing capacity and PPE | Adequate | Green |
| Capacity for isolation on campus | 75-100% | Green |
| Vaccination rate—Employees | 97%* | |
| Vaccination rate—Students | 97%* | |
| Positive cases since August 15, 2020—TOTAL | 788 | |
| Positive cases since August 15, 2020—Employees | 150 | |
| Positive cases since August 15, 2020—Students | 638 |
*Rates as of Fall 2021 semester; updates to come as booster shot compliance data is added
Decisions related to increasing or limiting campus activity will be data-driven and take into account a wide range of factors. The following chart outlines some of the key factors that would cause us to change course, and some of the possible increased mitigation measures that may be implemented.
| Level | Green | Yellow | Orange | Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campus Status | Campus Open | Campus open with few limitations on in-person activities | Campus open with very limited in-person activities | Campus closed |
| Community Spread and Risk Level |
Limited evidence of community spread on campus/limited risk of COVID-19 Unlimited testing capacity Isolation and quarantine rooms available as needed Low community spread in surrounding county |
No significant increase in campus cases Sufficient testing capacity Adequate capacity for isolation and quarantine Moderate community spread in surrounding county |
Significant increase in campus cases Limited testing capacity Limited capacity for isolation and quarantine Substantial or high community spread in surrounding county |
Campus case data/trends not improving State/governor implements strict stay-at-home order |
| Mitigation Measures |
Vaccination requirement for all students, faculty and staff Masks optional All courses in-person Fully engaged athletic teams General health guidelines followed |
Vaccination requirement for all students, faculty and staff Daily self-screening and symptom check Mask requirement for indoor spaces Surveillance testing for individuals with an approved COVID-19 vaccination exemption All courses in person Common spaces open Athletics practice/competition with additional mitigation measures in place as directed by the NCAA and/or MIAC Regular contact with public health representatives Offices and departments open in person |
Vaccination requirement for all students, faculty and staff Daily self-screening and symptom check Mask requirement for indoor spaces Surveillance testing for individuals with an approved COVID-19 vaccination exemption No indoor, in-person co-curricular events Potential move to hybrid or virtual learning Limits on dining options and eating and/or drinking during meetings/ gatherings Common spaces closed Meetings move to virtual formats Potential social distancing requirements Offices and departments scale back in-person staffing Guest restrictions Potential changes to athletics practice/competition |
All courses online Only essential employees on campus Residence halls closed |
Case Notification Process
Case data above is updated on a weekly basis.
The University will follow all best practices for COVID-19 notification, including following laws and health guidelines to ensure privacy and confidentiality. The notification process will be managed through the COVID-19 Response and Management Team, as outlined in the Preparedness Plan.
- All St. Kate’s faculty, staff, and students are required to self-report if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 via the COVID-19 Diagnosis Notification Form.
- This information is confidential and goes to the Health and Wellness Clinic and the COVID-19 Response and Management Team.
- Health provider members of the COVID-19 Response and Management Team will work with students who test positive for COVID-19.
- Human Resources will work with employees who test positive for COVID-19.
- The online COVID-19 Diagnosis Notification Form requests information relevant to contact tracing and University cleaning needs.
- Students, faculty, and staff who undergo testing in the Health and Wellness Clinic will sign a release of information allowing test results to be forwarded to the COVID-19 Management and Support Team.
Once a positive case of COVID-19 is confirmed, the University will act promptly to mitigate virus spread.
The COVID-19 Response and Management Team will:
- Contact the case (person) to conduct a review of potential close contacts related to the St. Kate’s community.
- Instruct the case to notify and/or help the case notify close contacts on campus.
- All unvaccinated close contacts – or individuals who are eligible for but have not yet received their booster – are required to self-quarantine for five (5) days from last known contact with a positive case.
- Individuals who have had close contact with a positive case and have had a positive COVID test in the past 90 days do not need to quarantine. If the positive test was more than 90 days ago, quarantine may be required.
- Individuals who have had close contact with a positive case and who are fully vaccinated (including a booster) do not need to quarantine. However, with the spread of the Omicron variant and breakthrough cases, and in accordance with current MDH recommendations, close contacts who are fully vaccinated should be tested five (5) days after contact with the confirmed case.
- Individuals who have not had close contact (being within six (6) feet of the case for 15 minutes or more throughout a 24-hour period) with a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 but who have been in the same area or classroom are not required to self-quarantine.
- Provide the individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 and other impacted individuals with information related to required self-isolation or self-quarantine.
- Follow-up with the case (person) for symptom monitoring and changing support needs.
- Provide additional support to students as needed during quarantine (e.g., academics, food, medicines).
- Consult with MDH regarding the need for any additional notices to the local campus community.
- Work with Facilities to determine the need for additional cleaning and disinfection.