Inside the Lab: Processing COVID-19 Tests at BC

Haley Hockin • February 22, 2021

The Boston College Microbiological Laboratory (BCML) processes the BC community’s COVID-19 tests. First certified in September, the lab now has the capacity to process 1,000 to 1,500 test samples daily, according to Welkin Johnson, chair of the biology department and head of the Johnson Lab.

Johnson Says University-Initiated Quarantine Unlikely, Praises Testing and Student Efforts

Victor Stefanescu • February 22, 2021

Welkin Johnson, chair of the biology department and head of the Johnson Lab, said that while the University is currently not planning to enter into a lockdown, the administration monitors case numbers daily, as well as consults with leadership of other universities in the area, to ensure it is prepared to shut down if it becomes necessary or is mandated by the state.

Mayor Fuller Expresses Concern Over COVID-19 Cases at BC

Julia Remick • February 22, 2021

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller has urged the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to strengthen its oversight of Boston College in response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases on campus.

Newton Vaccination Sites Stop Accepting New Appointments

Julia Remick • February 22, 2021

Two COVID-19 vaccination sites—the TripAdvisor in Needham and the Boston Sports Club in Newton—are no longer scheduling appointments for the first dose of the vaccine due to the Commonwealth’s limited vaccine supply.

Lochhead Denies COVID-19 Lockdown Rumors

Amy Palmer • February 18, 2021

Michael Lochhead, executive vice president and acting vice president for student affairs, sent an email to students on Thursday denying COVID-19 rumors that have been circulating in the Boston College community.

Last Week’s New Cases of COVID-19 Set Record of 85 Undergrad Positives

Megan Kelly • February 17, 2021

Boston College has reported 46 additional undergraduate cases of COVID-19 since Sunday out of 3,586 new tests, bringing last week’s total of undergraduate positives to 85—setting a record for largest number of cases in a single week—and this week’s total to 36 positive cases.

Athletics Pauses Activities For Three Teams After COVID-19 Spike

Emma Healy and Asa Ackerly • February 16, 2021

Boston College athletics paused men's basketball, volleyball, and women's soccer out of "an abundance of caution" due to COVID-19.

Student First Responders, Health Care Workers Vaccinated

Ethan Raye • February 16, 2021

Under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ COVID-19 vaccination rollout plan, some BC students are now eligible to receive vaccinations and have already begun getting vaccinated for COVID-19.

Newton Senior Center Helps Residents Secure COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments

Emily Kraus • February 16, 2021

When staff at the Newton Senior Center learned that individuals over 75 would be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, they knew making appointments online and accessing transportation could be challenging for some.

BC Reports Highest Number of Undergrad Cases, Students in Isolation

Megan Kelly, Julia Kiersznowski, and Victor Stefanescu • February 15, 2021

Boston College has reported its highest number of undergraduate cases of COVID-19 in a single week with 75 positive cases out of 9,628 tests, a positivity rate of .78 percent, according to the University’s COVID-19 dashboard as of Sunday.

BC Records Largest Number of Undergrads in Isolation

Madeleine Romance and Megan Kelly • February 11, 2021

Today’s update surpasses the previous high of 88 undergraduate students in isolation, a record set last Friday.

BC Threatens Tighter Restrictions After Covid-19 Uptick

Amy Palmer • February 10, 2021

Executive Vice President and Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Michael Lochhead sent an email to students on Tuesday attributing the recent rise in COVID-19 cases at Boston College to “students letting their guard down.” If the trend continues, BC may implement further restrictions, including possibly sending students home early for the semester, the email said.