After undergoing an arrival quarantine, boarding students are expected to be released from quarantine on the morning of Saturday, April 3, despite multiple students testing positive for Covid-19 in the past week.
Within the past seven days, seven boarding students have tested positive for Covid-19, according to Andover’s Covid-19 Testing Dashboard. Two positive test results emerged on Friday, March 26, four others on Tuesday, March 30, and another on Wednesday, March 31. All students who tested positive are isolating outside of their dormitories, according to an email sent to the Andover community on Tuesday night. After conducting contact tracing, Andover has identified close contacts and adjusted the duration of quarantine for certain individuals. Students underwent an additional round of Covid-19 testing on Wednesday due to the cases, in addition to the regularly scheduled Monday and Thursday testing.
Head of School Dr. Raynard Kington, Medical Director Dr. Amy Patel, and Jennifer Elliott ’94, Assistant Head of School for Residential Life and Dean of Students, called on students to honor the Non Sibi Safety Pledge by masking, physically distancing, and holding themselves and others accountable in their email.
“We understand that the arrival quarantine is a challenging stretch, and we know that it can feel isolating to be in your dorm room for remote learning. Support each other. Send messages of support, and model responsible and caring behavior. Soak in the sun when you are able to be outside—and always adhere to our protocols that will keep us all safe and healthy,” wrote Kington, Patel, and Elliott in the email.
Day students registered for the Spring Term on Wednesday, March 31. As of Thursday, April 1, quarantine is scheduled to end on Saturday, April 3rd. According to Patel, no students tested positive on arrival on Tuesday, March 23.
