120-Case Coronavirus Outbreak Confirmed At Providence College

PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence College has moved to fully distanced learning until at least the end of the month after a cluster of cases were identified at and around campus over the past three days. According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, approximately 120 cases have been identified, mostly in off-campus students.

The decision to move to virtual learning was announced late Thursday night, which will continue until Sept. 26. In the meantime, a stay-at-home order has been issued for all students. Mandatory testing has been implemented for on-campus students, with everyone asked to get tested Friday or Saturday, even if they were already tested earlier in the week. A schedule has been developed to prevent crowding.

College President Kenneth Sicard said in his announcement that while he knows these steps are drastic, there is no other choice to allow for in-person classes at all this semester, or even in the spring.

"We recognize how serious and difficult these directives are, but this is our last chance to remain together in person for the fall semester," Sicard wrote. "Between these actions and the serious steps we already have taken — especially in the past few days — we have used virtually every tool at our disposal. We are out of options. If we are not successful, we will have no alternative other than to shut down our campus for the remainder of the fall semester. This also will likely affect our ability to reopen for the spring semester."

Residents who live near campus are encouraged to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and reach out to their health care provider immediately if they become ill. Any Rhode Islander aged 18 to 39 is eligible for coronavirus testing, even those without symptoms, as well as employees of high-contact businesses such as salons, gyms and restaurants. Appointments can be scheduled online. College students who live in the area and interact with Providence College students and employees of businesses in the vicinity are strongly encouraged by the Department of Health to get tested.

To help prevent further spread in the area, the department is conducting "aggressive contact tracing" and completing thorough case investigations for each confirmed positive. The department is also working closely with Providence College officials to support quarantined and isolated students.

During the stay-at-home period, students who live on campus can return home after receiving a negative test result. Off-campus students, meanwhile, who have tested positive for COVID-19 or were identified as a close contact are allowed to return home as long as it is within driving distance and no one there is at a high risk for the virus. Students on campus may only leave their dorms to pick up meals, get tested or to get essential items delivered by a parent or relative at the Huxley Avenue Gate. More information is available on the school's stay-at-home FAQ page.