Santa Fe College reported 163 positive COVID-19 cases from students and employees from Jan. 3 to Monday. This is the first week the college has tracked cases since the return of students, staff and faculty from winter break, according to Santa Fe’s communication manager Jay Anderson.
Over 12 percent of Santa Fe’s COVID-19 cases have occurred in the last week.
From Dec. 6 to Dec. 13 − the last week before the holidays Santa Fe monitored cases − the college reported only four positive cases. There were 159 more cases this week than there were from Dec. 6 to Dec. 13.
The Alachua County Health Department vaccinated 65 people last Thursday at a Santa Fe College vaccination clinic, said Anderson. At the event, the health department gave first doses, second doses and booster shots to college students, employees and the public.
Three people got their first dose, one person got their second dose and 61 people got boosters. Of those individuals, 36 received the Pfizer shot and 29 received the Moderna shot.
The college’s second vaccination event will take place this Thursday from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. It will be in the Rec Room on the first floor of Building S.
No appointments are needed, and consent forms can be completed at the vaccination clinic or in advance on the Alachua County Health Department’s website.
Santa Fe College will soon announce details on another COVID-19 vaccination incentive for students, faculty and staff, similar to the one they implemented in the fall.
Current Santa Fe students and employees who confirmed their vaccination status were awarded with a one-time, non-recurring $60 payment and became eligible to win additional prizes such as a bookstore voucher or a parking spot on campus, according to the Today @ Santa Fe website.
Santa Fe’s Spring COVID-19 protocols will remain the same as the Fall, said Anderson. Masks are not required on campus, but the college strongly encourages all students and faculty to wear masks indoors, practice physical distancing and get vaccinated.
Santa Fe will not follow the CDC’s updated COVID-19 protocols that shortened the quarantine period from 10 days to five as of Dec. 27. Those who test positive for the virus will still face a 10-day isolation period, said Anderson.
Contact Lily Kino at lkino@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @lily_kino.
Lily is a third-year journalism major with a concentration in environmental science covering criminal justice for The Alligator. Last semester, she served as the Santa Fe reporter. When she's not writing, you can find Lily on a nature walk, eating Domino's Pizza or spending time with her friends.
