Saint Mary’s Stays Healthy!

Dear SMC Community, 

Our community continues to work diligently to keep all members safe from COVID-19 while providing the highest possible educational opportunities. I am happy to provide a brief status update on key COVID monitoring and prevention initiatives. 

Most notably and importantly, we’ve reached exceptionally high levels of vaccination in our community: 

• Staff: 95%
• Faculty: 98%
• Undergraduate students: 97%
• Graduate students: 96.3% 

The small population with approved exemptions gets tested once a week, and each individual remains masked at all times. 

In the past 14 days, there were 6 newly reported cases of COVID at SMC. SMC’s contact tracing team reached out to all individuals identified as close contacts. The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases for fall 2021 is 28. Numbers are updated daily at the COVID website here. 

As we enter the new normal, please know that Saint Mary’s continues to fight against the spread of COVID, but each individual must remain vigilant in protecting one another. Wear your mask! 

Vaccines remain the most powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. And there’s great news: Vaccine boosters are here! Instructors, school staff, and student workers who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can receive a Pfizer booster dose at least six months after the completion of their second shot. Please consider scheduling your booster. Check the Contra Costa County website here, or contact your local pharmacy or health care provider. 

Best regards,

Richard Plumb, PhD
President