URI saw an increase in cases of COVID-19 during the week of Dec. 12 to Dec. 18, with 102 positive cases identified through URI testing (93 students, 9 faculty/staff/affiliate) and 2 additional positive student cases reported through outside testing. This increase of 29 positive cases over the prior week occurs at a time when the rate of transmission is increasing across both the State of Rhode Island and the nation as a whole. In response to this trend, URI is mandating booster shots for all eligible individuals prior to the start of the spring 2022 semester. 

Weekly results:

Weekly tests:	3,671 tests through URI Health Services, including 482 symptomatic tests.
Positive cases:	102 positive cases from URI testing, 2 additional cases reported to URI from external testing, 11 unvaccinated, 2 partially vaccinated, 91 vaccinated.
Weekly Positivity:	7-day positivity rate of 3.1%, up from 1.9% during the prior week. This remains below the RI positivity rate of ~6.2% for the same period.
Incidence:	The incidence of positive cases among members of our community with an approved medical/religious vaccination exemption remains high this week, at 1,104 per 100,000. The 7-day incidence rate of COVID-19 among the vaccinated URI population was 498 per 100,000 during this period. The RI 7-day incidence for this period was ~725 cases per 100,000.

The COVID‑19 vaccines and booster shots are widely available, safe, greatly limit the transmission of the virus, and have been shown to nearly eliminate the chances of death or serious illness related to a COVID‑19 infection. The vaccines and booster shots are a critical element in protecting public health locally and worldwide and will help the University return for a full in-person experience in the spring.  

Note: This is the final weekly update for the fall 2021 semester. Updates will resume in the new year.

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