Five members of the Simpson College community have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week, according to the Simpson College COVID-19 dashboard. Additionally, 65% of the student body has been fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Positive cases include students, faculty and staff. 

The campus positivity rate has been identified as 3%, and a total of seven campus community members have tested positive since Aug. 23. Currently, there are two students in quarantine. 

Vaccinations continue 

As of Sept. 2, 65% of the on-campus student body and 84% of faculty and staff are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This is a slight jump from Aug. 10, when 53% of students were reported as being fully vaccinated by Crisis Management Chair Heidi Levine. Within the West Des Moines campus, 38% of students and 77% of faculty are fully vaccinated.

The COVID-19 dashboard, which was previously updated daily, is now updated once per week on Thursday mornings. 

Community cases and vaccinations 

Within the county, a total of 120 positive cases were reported in the last week, meaning that it maintains its status as an area with high community spread – sitting at a 14.26% positivity rate, according to the CDC.