JWU Announces Baseline Test Results, Phased Restart for In-Person Classes
Story by JWU Media Relations , on Oct 14, 2020 9:50 AM
Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — October 14, 2020 – Johnson & Wales University (JWU), in consultation with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), has announced plans for a phased restart of in-person classes with all culinary and baking and pastry lab classes starting this Sunday, October 18, and Monday, October 19. The university also anticipates all other classes will resume their face to face components on Tuesday, October 20.
On October 5, the university began conducting baseline testing of all JWU students who live on campus, commute to campus, or live in Rhode Island but attend classes as remote JWU learners. The university is waiting for the final results from the tests that were completed yesterday; however, based on the more than 2,400 tests that have been conducted, there have been only five positive COVID-19 cases, resulting in a positivity rate of just 0.2 percent. Of these five, two students live on campus and three students have been attending remotely. They are now in isolation, and those who were identified as close contacts are in quarantine.
With JWU having established a baseline of its student population, the university will continue with sentinel surveillance [random] testing starting on Tuesday, October 20. In addition, faculty and staff who are on campus on a regular basis will be included in this random testing and those selected will be notified.
About JWU
Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers degree programs in arts and sciences, business, culinary arts, design and engineering, education, health and wellness, hospitality, nutrition and physician assistant studies. Its unique model integrates arts and sciences and industry-focused education with work experience and leadership opportunities, inspiring students to achieve professional success and lifelong personal and intellectual growth. The university’s impact is global, with alumni from 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide. For more information, visit jwu.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT Ryan Crowley, communication & media relations specialist, 401-598-2752. Follow @JWUnews