The chairman of the North Dakota University System’s COVID-19 Smart Restart Task Force said although the infection numbers are looking better across the state and on the campuses, he would recommend that the campuses continue their prevention protocols.
UND Medical School Dean Dr. Joshua Wynne told the state Board of Higher Education the protocols have worked to keep infections in check – and now with vaccines, there is light at the end of the tunnel. But he said some questions remain – do the vaccines prevent transmission? Are they effective against the new variants?
Wynne told the Board until those are answered, he would not be in favor of a wholesale change in the approach.
"I think the summer semester can be one of transition," Wynne said. "I continue to feel pretty confident that we will be able to get back to a 'new normal' for the fall semester. I just don't think we should rush things, until we have some answers."
Wynne said he’s optimistic the vaccines will reduce the spread of COVID.