To: Students, Faculty and Staff
Date: November 23, 2021
Re: Confirmed COVID-19 Cases

As per requirements issued by the US Department of Education, Ramapo College is required to notify the community in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, an outbreak in the higher education setting is defined as 3 or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases among students or staff within a 14-day period, who are epidemiologically linked, meet criteria for higher education-associated cases, and were not identified as close contacts of each other outside the college setting during standard case investigation or contact tracing.

Three individuals, who are associated with the Ramapo College Men’s Basketball Program, have been confirmed as positive for COVID-19. One individual isolated off campus and has completed the isolation period. The second individual was identified as positive for COVID-19 on Monday, November 22nd and is isolating off campus. The third individual was identified as positive for COVID-19 today, November 23rd and is isolating off campus. Anyone who has been identified as a close contact has already been notified and they are taking the necessary health and safety requirements detailed by the College. The College has consulted with public health officials from the North West Bergen Regional Health Commission and is strictly following their guidance and recommendations. Areas of the College that have been exposed to confirmed cases have already been cleaned and disinfected.   Finally, tonight’s Men’s Basketball game has been cancelled.

How to Protect Yourself and Others
Make it a point to review prevention information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a daily basis. Below is a summary of prevention steps, but please access the CDC site for the comprehensive information about prevention.

• Get vaccinated. Authorized COVID-19 vaccines and boosters can help protect you from COVID-19;
• Follow the College’s Face Covering Policy;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Unvaccinated individuals are required to maintain 6 feet of social distance from others when practical;
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces;
• Wash your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, you can use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
• For students who are currently living on campus, as a reminder, the Guest and Visitation Policy can be found here. Others are welcome to host visitors, but all visitors are required to wear a face covering;
• Stay home if you are sick (except to get medical care). Do not, under any circumstances, come to the campus if you are sick.  Follow directions for reporting to college officials if you are diagnosed with having COVID-19;
• Always cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue (and throw it away) or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Immediately wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water (or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol);
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces; and
• Always monitor your health via the College’s Daily Symptom Self Screening for Students, Faculty, and Staff and be alert for symptoms of COVID-19.

For additional information related to the College’s response to COVID-19 and campus dashboards, please access COVID-19 Information and Updates.  As COVID-19 cases rise across the U.S, it is important that you take responsibility for your health and remain vigilant toward slowing the spread. Make way for the Roadrunner spirit to stay strong during these disruptions to daily life, safeguard our campus, and protect one another.  #WeAreRCNJ