Skip to main content

Student Tribune

COVID-19 Update: MCC to Address Change in NYS Masking Mandate

Continue to wear a well-fitting mask when in MCC buildings until spring semester guidance is potentially updated this week.

According to public health officials, New York state and Monroe County residents have made significant progress to stop the spread of COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 86% of New Yorkers ages 18 and older are fully vaccinated.

A 98% decline in COVID-19 cases since the Omicron peak and a continuous downward trend in cases for 51 consecutive days led to Gov. Kathy Hochul announcing that the statewide mask mandate in schools will be removed as of Wednesday, March 2. Local governments and organizations will still be able to determine whether or not they still want to require mask wearing, but it is no longer a state mandate.

Today, based on updated SUNY guidance and recent feedback from the Monroe County Department of Health, MCC’s COVID-19 Tactical Workgroup will make a recommendation to President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna and Cabinet members to potentially modify MCC’s masking requirement. MCC guidance may be updated as soon as tomorrow, March 1.

Following are COVID-19 test results received between Feb. 21-27:

  • 3 positive cases were identified among students, faculty and staff who participated in MCC-administered testing during the week of Feb. 21.
  • 2 students are isolating off campus.
  • 0 students are isolating on campus.
  • 0 students are in quarantine and precautionary quarantine.
  • MCC 7-Day Rolling Average On-campus Positivity Rate (SUNY COVID-19 Case Tracker)
    • Students: 9.68%
    • Employees: 0.0%
    • Overall average on-campus positivity rate since onset of pooled testing: 0.31%
  • Monroe County 7-day average positivity rate: 2.4%

Located in the Flynn Campus Center Forum (3-130), MCC’s Testing Center will be open 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. today, Feb. 28 and 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, March 1. No appointment is necessary. Do not go to the NYS Community Testing site in the Gilman Lounge (3-114) that serves the general public.

MCC’s Testing Center now uses COVID-19 antigen rapid tests—a simple and more comfortable nasal test. Students and employees no longer need to register with or sign into the Quadrant Laboratories site prior to testing.

Yule, Rosanna
Government and Community Relations
02/28/2022