Summary statement:

URI continues to see limited transmission of COVID-19 in the community from October 17 to October 23, with 8 positive cases identified through URI testing (7 students, 1 faculty/staff/affiliate) and 1 additional positive student case reported through outside testing. There has been no transmission identified in the academic setting, and we have seen no classes with multiple positive cases during this period. URI Health Services has noted an increase in visits for minor seasonal illness with some COVID-like symptoms, however symptomatic testing of these students has not revealed an increase in positive COVID cases.

Weekly Results

Weekly Tests:	2,578, including 311 symptomatic tests through URI Health Services.
Positive Cases:	8 positive cases from URI testing, 1 reported to URI from external testing, 5 unvaccinated, 4 vaccinated.
Weekly Positivity:	7-day positivity rate of 0.35%.  This rate is well below the RI positivity rate of ~1.7% for the same period.
Incidence:	The incidence of COVID-19 among the vaccinated URI population continues to be low, with four cases, corresponding to a 7-day incidence rate of 23 per 100,000. Positive cases among the small proportion of our community with an approved medical/religious vaccination exemption are significantly higher, including 5 of the 9 positive cases identified during this period and a 7-day incidence rate of 303 per 100,000.

The differential between vaccinated and unvaccinated incidence rates underscores the importance of vaccination as the best way to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and protect the health of our community.  

Visit the URI COVID-19 Tracker for detailed information from our testing program. The dashboard is updated daily as results become available.