RIDOH gives Providence College green light to resume in-person classes

October 8, 2020 12:31 pm

Amanda Pitts,

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has cleared Providence College to resume in-person classes Thursday following a COVID-19 outbreak among students.

To date, more than 23,000 tests have been administered at Providence College, and 237 students have tested positive for coronavirus along with three staff members. According to the school’s COVID-19 data, 198 positive cases have recovered and 165 people are currently in quarantine.

In a letter to the school community, Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, President of Providence College, said on-campus students who were tested between Sunday and Tuesday of this week may return to classes on Thursday. Those on-campus students tested on Wednesday may return to classes on Friday.

When it comes to off-campus students, those tested between Sunday, October 4, and Wednesday, October 7 may return to class on Monday, October 12.

Students who have not been tested are required to schedule their returns over the next several days, Rev. Sicard wrote, and those students are not permitted to return to class or be on campus.

Locations on campus known for large crowds like dining halls, the fitness center, the library, and the chapel will remain closed.

“The return will be incremental, and we all should pray that it will continue without setbacks. College personnel meet nearly every day with the RIDOH team, and we are all focused on adding – as safe and appropriate – more of the communal activities and opportunities that characterize college life,” Rev. Sicard wrote.

“It has taken a tremendous amount of sacrifice and hard work – by every person in our community – to get us to this point, and I am grateful to each of you. Although we can all take pride in the progress we have made, we cannot relax our vigilance; indeed, we need to increase it. We are still seeing new positive cases every day, and a great many of our students remain in isolation or quarantine. We have a long way to go, and it will take a continued shared commitment for our progress to continue.”

To read the full letter, click here.