Embry-Riddle Releases New Test Results, Thanks Students for Helping

Associate Director for the Dean of Students Kristy Amburgey (left) and Health Services Director Pam Petrone prepare to intercept students for sentinel testing in a residence hall
Health Services Director Pam Petrone and Associate Director for Dean of Students Kristy Amburgey administer Covid-19 test kits to students as part of the university's sentinel testing program. (Photo: Embry-Riddle/Daryl LaBello)

Sep 11, 2020, 3:13 PM

In releasing Embry-Riddle’s Covid-19 test results, we extend our sincere appreciation to the vast majority of hard-working Eagles who are leaning in to help prevent illness by adhering to the university’s safety rules. Kudos to all of you who are wearing face coverings, staying six feet apart, and making smart choices as we navigate this historic health crisis together. Your determination inspires us. 

This week, we continued to deal with reports of high-risk parties – and we scrambled to get those events shut down. Yet, it’s clear that most of you are not about to let a few less community-minded individuals sabotage your health and academic success. You’ve worked too hard and you’ve come too far. 

Apartment and residence hall parties remain the greatest threat to our collective health. We have seen no evidence of any transmission of Covid-19 in classrooms or on the flight line – despite more than 32,000 contact hours in airplanes, 8,000 hours in simulators, and 60,000 hours with instructors across both residential campuses since May. 

Embry-Riddle is continuing to leverage a multi-pronged testing strategy: 

  • Screening and Contact Testing focuses on assessing key groups (i.e., Flight, Athletics, ROTC, on-campus, off-campus, and so on) to capture a fair “snapshot” of the university as a whole.
  • Sentinel Testing focuses on students living in large group setting, where close contact may increase the risk of spread. 
  • Rapid Testing is specifically for symptomatic individuals. 
  • Wastewater Analysis is guiding Embry-Riddle’s testing efforts.

In an effort to keep students, faculty, staff, parents and our communities informed, Embry-Riddle reports its Covid-19 testing results every Friday. Our latest results were as follows:

Daytona Beach Campus (since June 22):

  • 2,303  individuals tested by Embry-Riddle (screening & contact type)
  • 338 individuals tested by Embry-Riddle (sentinel type)
  • 28 cases confirmed positive by Embry-Riddle
  • 13 other cases confirmed positive through external testing
  • 1 previously confirmed case

Total Cases Confirmed to Date: 42

Total Cases Recovered/Cleared to Resume Activities: 40

Total Cases Active/Under Isolation: 2

Prescott Campus (since June 22):

  • 1,239 individuals tested by Embry-Riddle (screening & contact type)
  • 35 individuals tested by Embry-Riddle (sentinel type)
  • 17 cases confirmed positive by Embry-Riddle
  • 9 other cases confirmed positive through external testing
  • 5 previously confirmed cases

Total Cases Confirmed to Date: 31

Total Cases Recovered/Cleared to Resume Activities: 20

Total Cases Active/Under Isolation: 11

Worldwide Campus (since June 22):

  • 1 case confirmed positive through external testing
  • 3 previously confirmed cases

Total Cases Confirmed to Date: 4

Total Cases Recovered/Cleared to Resume Activities: 4

Total Cases Active/Under Isolation: 0 

Only confirmed (not suspected) cases are reported. All confirmed cases are fully disclosed to the university community as well as all appropriate health authorities. 

Health Reminders 

  • If you are sick, or have been on a cruise or in close contact with someone with Covid-19, do not come onto Embry-Riddle’s campuses.
  • In case of difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911.
  • Please promptly report any concerning symptoms (i.e., fever, cough or congestion) to the health services or campus safety unit on your campus:

Daytona Beach Health Services   386-226-7917

Daytona Beach Campus Safety   386-226-SAFE (7233)

Prescott Wellness Center     928-777-6653

Prescott Campus Safety       928-777-3333

All students are urged to download and use Embry-Riddle’s new EagleGuardian smartphone app. In an emergency, this app allows students to contact Campus Safety with the touch of a button. The app also has a locator feature that will help first responders reach students quickly.

Safety Requirements

  • Everyone must have a wellness check every 24 hours before spending time at Embry-Riddle.
  • Face coverings are mandatory in all common areas, both indoors and outdoors.
  • Physical distancing (six feet apart) is also required at all times.
  • Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.
  • Get your flu shot as early as possible.
  • Those selected to undergo mandatory diagnostic Covid-19 testing must self-quarantine if they are instructed to do so. (Note: Self-quarantine is generally not necessary for sentinel testing, as outlined above, but it is required for screening and contact testing as well as rapid testing.)

Please review our Covid-19 information page and Frequently Asked Questions.

Consequences for High-Risk Behavior

Any student engaging in high-risk behaviors that put the university community at risk may be in violation of student Honor Codes or Standards of Conduct.

Students who willfully violate Embry-Riddle rules will be subject to disciplinary action, potentially including immediate expulsion without a refund. For Daytona Beach Campus students, refer to the Honor Code, and in particular, the Failure to Comply section. For Prescott Campus students, the Standards of Conduct can be found here; the Failure to Comply section is on page 22. 

Any employee who refuses to comply should be reported to Human Resources, as outlined in the APPM. Faculty or staff who fail to wear a face covering, get a wellness check or Covid-19 test if instructed, or follow other university safety rules will be subject to disciplinary action.

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