GV COVID-19 campus data update

Since GVSU began conducting random testing on campus Aug. 27, the cumulative total COVID-19 cases since August 1^st is 897. The university’s update of data used for this brief was from Friday, Sept. 25.

Through testing results, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 2 faculty/staff, 43 on-campus students, 108 “off-campus Ottawa” students, and 28 “off-campus Kent” students, 9 “off-campus other” students with active COVID-19 cases.

“Current active cases” is the count of positive cases reported to the Virus Action Team over the past ten days.  This is an estimate of those currently in isolation, assuming a ten day symptomatic period following the reporting of a positive test result. Actual periods of isolation are specific to the individual and determined by the county health department.

Testing and Incidence: GVSU’s own testing program has performed 8,793 tests overall since August 21, for a positivity rate of 0.68% from the latest update as of last week.

NOTE: from Sept 23, 2020: In a check of previously reported data, a few duplicate reports and a few cases that were not GV community members were found. A total of ten cases were removed from the count, from the following dates:  9/2, 9/4, 9/6 (3 cases), 9/9, 9/13, 9/16, and 9/21 (2 cases).

GV cancels spring break, adds week onto Christmas break

On Sept. 25, Grand Valley State University announced that in an effort to take additional COVID-19 protection steps for students, they will be modifying the Winter 2021 academic calendar.

The revised academic calendar starts on Tuesday, January 19, the day after the Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration, eliminates spring break, and ends on May 1. This results in a 15-week semester, consistent with past semesters, and instructional time is unchanged.

The registrar’s statement said that courses for the Winter 2021 semester will continue to be a mix of in-person, hybrid, and online. Units, colleges, and the Registrar’s Office are working together to make the necessary changes to the existing Winter 2021 course schedule, which was put in place before COVID-19 was affecting GVSU.

Emergency alert testing date set for Friday

Grand Valley will be hosting its yearly emergency alert testing system on Friday Oct. 2 at noon. This system is used to alert students and staff of emergencies and the responses to them that take place on campus. Grand Valley students and staff can expect either an email, text, or voice notification while the alert system test in place. All campus computers will be alerted and will show the testing message. GVSU occupants can also expect to hear the monthly tornado sirens on the same day accompanied by voice notification from the sirens.

Grand Rapids Public Museum launches new virtual cooking class

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will be holding a new virtual cooking class that will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m.

As a part of the GRPM Fall Cultural Celebration, this new virtual cooking class will be focused on African-inspired dishes in collaboration with Motherland Cultural Connections. The class will allow individuals that join to learn about and taste cuisines from Central Africa, with Mirabel Umenei (Myra Maimoh).

Viewers will be involved with Africa’s culinary cuisines and culture with Maimoh guiding them through a night of interactions and learning through zoom.

Individuals that decide to attend will learn how to prepare a three-course meal that will represent different regions and cultures of Africa. Attendees will also learn how to pair their various dishes with various wines. All of this will be accompanied by uplifting songs and storytelling during the zoom class.

Tickets for this class will be available at grpm.org/calendar. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and they will be $40. The individuals who register will receive a confirmation email with additional event details, including a shopping list, wine pairings and more.