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This page offers all of Delaware Public Media's ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it is affecting the First State. Check here regularly for the latest new and information.

DSU looks to ramp up its vaccination efforts

Milton Pratt
/
Delaware Public Media

Delaware State University hosts a vaccination event Wednesday as it sets lofty goals for the amount of students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated.

 

The vaccination event runs from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m at Memorial Hall. 

Michelle Fisher is the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at DSU, and she says it’s a chance to build on work already done to get shots to university employees.

"On our campus community approximately 109 employees are fully vaccinated and 152 received their first dose," said Fisher during DSU's weekly virtual forum. "Kudos to these individuals, but we need everyone vaccinated."

 

There will be 400 doses available at Wednesday's vaccination event, and DSU President Tony Allen hopes it can get the ball rolling on campus-wide vaccination.

"So students, in particular, you now have the opportunity to make sure that you are taking care of yourself and each other, and I want you to take that very seriously," said Allen. "To my faculty and staff, I'm expecting you all to do the right thing as well. My goal is to have at least 50% of the university population having received one dose before we walk off this campus this spring."

And Allen hopes that springboards DSU to his ultimate goal.

"I expect everybody to be vaccinated before we return to campus next fall," said Allen. "The numbers suggest that we can do that."

He notes if students don’t get vaccinated for the fall, they can’t attend class on campus, but  can do so remotely in a hybrid situation.

DSU continues to tout its testing efforts, noting it has administered 29,414 tests from January 4through March 31 with only 174 positive results for a .6% positive rate.

Joe brings over 20 years of experience in news and radio to Delaware Public Media and the All Things Considered host position. He joined DPM in November 2019 as a reporter and fill-in ATC host after six years as a reporter and anchor at commercial radio stations in New Castle and Sussex Counties.