Message from the Prescott Campus Chancellor: Parties Tied to Covid-19 Cases

Embry-Riddle’s most recent Covid-19 weekly test results announcement was issued on Sept. 5. As of that date, the Prescott Campus had identified only 21 cases of Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, with just four people remaining in isolation.

Unfortunately, we learned of off-campus student parties the prior weekend (Aug. 28-30), and as a result we have seen an increase in cases traced to those parties.

As of Sunday, we had identified 19 new cases of Covid-19 among students on the Prescott Campus. These individuals are now in isolation. In addition, our contact tracers have identified more than 100 individuals who have been in close contact with one or more of the identified cases. Those individuals are now in quarantine. Approximately half of all these cases are off-campus.  

Although this is a disappointing turn of events, we have procedures in place for handling this evolving situation, and we feel confident that our operations can safely continue.

Please be assured that our contact tracer will contact you if you are at risk. If you have not heard anything, you should continue with your regular activities, always ensuring that you wear your face covering and maintain physical distancing, on and off-campus.

All affected students (in isolation or quarantine) are being kept separate from the rest of the campus population. Food is being delivered to students in isolation or quarantine on campus. Course work is accessible online, and faculty members are working with these students to help them stay on track. For all student cases, clearance to return to campus life must be provided by Embry-Riddle’s healthcare professionals, in accordance with guidelines set forth by local health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All Prescott Campus Athletics activities have been suspended. Team sports will not resume until Embry-Riddle deems it safe to do so.

Embry-Riddle has repeatedly emphasized the dangers of off-campus apartment or residence hall parties.

Please continue to adhere to wearing face masks and maintain six feet of physical distance with others, on and off-campus. We also remind everyone of the dangers of gathering in large groups, especially if distancing and masks are not in place. If everyone continues to adhere to these simple rules, we will reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus. 

We will get through this together. Stay strong!

Dr. Anette Karlsson

Chancellor, Prescott Campus