Babson’s COVID-19 Dashboard Is Live; Here’s What it Shares
Babson College has established a COVID-19 dashboard to transparently share trends in test results and percent positivity rates.
The dashboard provides a seven-day snapshot of tests completed on campus and corresponding positive results. It also provides a cumulative look at the data, dating from August 5. The dashboard is updated on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Since August 5, a total of 3,657 tests have been completed on campus, with the vast majority conducted between August 18 and 24. During that time, less than or equal to three tests returned positive results—a positive rate significantly under 1%. By comparison, the seven-day average for Massachusetts as a whole was 1.1%.
Members of the President’s Council and Crisis Response Team evaluate this data daily, along with efficacy of contact tracing efforts, and cleaning supply and personal protective equipment stockpiles. The team also gauges capacity to accommodate on-campus quarantining, essential personnel support and capabilities, community compliance with safeguarding measures, board of health guidance, and more.
“Our COVID-19 dashboard offers a timely and transparent snapshot of testing data and provides the Babson community with additional information about the impact of COVID-19 on our campuses,” said Kelly Lynch, chief operating officer. “This testing data, in concert with some 30 additional health and operational indicators that we are tracking daily, will help position us to quickly intervene and implement operational changes as required.”
President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD said dashboard metrics will be evaluated with a collection of several complex factors and continued guidance from public health agencies.
“Testing data is a key indicator we are monitoring closely as we evaluate our campus operations,” Spinelli wrote. “That said, no single metric alone will dictate a change to our operations. Rather, decisions will be based on a complex mix of factors and indicators evaluated collectively. And, our decisions will continue to be made in consultation with public health experts and in accordance with local, state, and federal guidance and directives.”
Working to Safeguard Our Community
To facilitate testing on the Wellesley campus, which goes beyond state requirements, Babson has partnered with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. All students and employees returning to campus have and/or will be tested at the first level of the BECC parking garage, a space chosen specifically because it is large, outdoors, and covered.
Students, faculty, and staff will be tested weekly throughout the fall semester, though the frequency could be adjusted up or down based on public health guidance and community needs, Lynch said. Test results are returned within 24–48 hours.
All students and employees working on campus, are required to complete and act on daily symptom reporting. In all instances, instant feedback is provided in the form of a digital badge.
Individuals’ status for the day is either determined to be “clear/green” or “restricted/red.” If declared “restricted,” students will be instructed on next steps.
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