In an email sent to the Whitman community on Dec. 10, Coronavirus Task Force Chair Peter Harvey confirmed the college’s first on-campus virus transmission. 

According to Harvey, the COVID situation is moving in a “significantly worrisome direction” following Thanksgiving break travel and a lack of adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

“Since returning from Thanksgiving break, seven students have tested positive for COVID-19. We know that five of these cases were linked, marking the first time this fall that we have confirmed on-campus transmission of the virus, and we are highly concerned that there may be additional close contact cases identified in the days before break as the three most recent cases all participated in a large, unmasked student gathering in a residence hall room.”

Harvey urged students to continue to follow campus COVID-19 protocols.