Dear Mercy College Community,
I am writing to let you know that Mercy College was notified late yesterday of a second individual in the Mercy community, a student, who has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). The student, whom we have been in touch with and is receiving appropriate care, last attended class on the Bronx Campus on Monday, March 9. Please join me in wishing this member of our community well.
Mercy College has contacted all students, faculty or staff thought to have been in contact with this most recent confirmed case, and is also working with the New York City Department of Health to advise of next steps.
In the future, confirmed cases of coronavirus in our Mercy community will be posted on a dedicated webpage. We will update the list as we receive information about new known, confirmed Mercy cases. If you are identified as someone who has been in contact with an individual who has tested positive, you will be notified. Please respect the privacy of anyone who tests positive to allow them to focus on their health.
The College has implemented many measures which are detailed on our webpage, that provide for the well-being of our community including moving academic instruction online, cancelling events and activities, and continuing a thorough cleaning and enhanced disinfection protocol across all campuses and locations. We also implemented the telecommuting policy for faculty and staff, however, staff designated by their supervisors to support on-campus operations are asked to report to campus as directed.
Available Resources
College-wide resources are available to students, faculty and staff as detailed in our March 13 communication that can be found here. These include IT support, online learning support, online tutoring, and health and counseling services. College leaders have been diligently working to ensure that when students have questions, their PACT counselors are there to help, and that supervisors are ready to assist faculty and staff with any questions or concerns. Because this is an evolving situation, schedules may be adjusted, and we appreciate your flexibility.
Mercy’s website has up-to-date information, FAQs and others resources. For questions or to provide information that might be useful to the College, please email healthalert@mercy.edu.
The health and safety of our community is our utmost concern. We encourage you to practice recommended guidelines to help slow the spread of the coronavirus including social distancing, staying home when sick and proper hand washing techniques. Our Mercy community is strong. We will continue to look out for one another and help each other as we navigate through this situation. We will provide you with additional updates as necessary.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience.
Sincerely,
Tim Hall
President