February 28, 2020

Update and information regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Dear Members of the Trinity College Community,

We write to share information and resources and to provide an update on the college’s efforts and plans related to managing the impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Trinity’s Emergency Management Team has been in coordination with colleagues across campus and internationally since late January, and we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation and the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Today, while there is no threat to the Trinity campus at this time, we certainly are seeing the impact of the spread of the virus internationally, and we know that members of the community are looking for guidance on many topics, including travel plans for spring break and summer. Further, the CDC has alerted Americans to begin to prepare for the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, saying it’s not clear how severe an outbreak could become. The CDC advised that disruption to everyday life could be significant and suggested that businesses, schools, and families have discussions about the potential impact.

The campus COVID-19 response group is meeting regularly to assess and anticipate short- and long-term impacts to the Trinity community and to share information with you. The college’s efforts overall are being coordinated at the President’s Cabinet level by Vice President for Information Services and Chief Information Officer Suzanne Aber and Vice President for Communications and Marketing Angela Paik Schaeffer. We will provide updates to the community as new information or changing situations warrant; all updates will be posted on a new college advisories website.

On that website, you will find a set of frequently asked questions with resources and information about the virus, travel-related issues, and campus concerns. In addition to reviewing that FAQ, you can stay up to date on the global situation on the CDC’s COVID-19 website. Please consult travel advisories from the CDC website and the U.S. State Department regarding plans for travel. For more information and to ask specific questions, please email  [email protected].

Martha O’Brien, MS, ANP, BC, APRN
Practice Director for Student Health Services
Hartford HealthCare
Medical Group

Joe DiChristina
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Campus Life