TRAVERSE CITY — Today NMC learned that a Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadet tested positive for COVID-19 while in self-quarantine in NMC housing ahead of a planned training cruise.
The cadet is one of 10 cadets who began a self-quarantine July 6 in NMC’s East Hall. The cadets took the COVID-19 test on July 10 and received the results today. The cadet who tested positive is asymptomatic and is now in isolation. NMC is working closely with the Grand Traverse County Health Department while it conducts its case investigation and contact tracing to determine potential spread. Because the cadets were already in a voluntary self-quarantine, the GTCHD has not identified any community exposure with this case at this time.
NMC and GLMA have comprehensive safety protocols and procedures, following CDC, MARAD and maritime industry guidelines, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The cadets were in a voluntary 14-day self-quarantine ahead of a summer training cruise aboard the T/S State of Michigan. The vessel was scheduled to depart NMC’s Great Lakes Campus Harbor Friday, July 23. As part of the self-quarantine, cadets:
- have their temperatures taken daily
- each have their own private suite in the dorm with bedroom and bathroom
- have meals delivered to them
- have minimal interaction with others while following safety protocols including social distancing and wearing masks in dorm common areas and outside on NMC’s campus
- are not allowed off of NMC’s campus or to interact with the public during self-quarantine.
NMC is collaborating with the GTCHD to determine potential exposure within the group of 10 cadets. This may include additional testing and may delay the cruise departure date. The GTCHD will advise any cadet found to be in close contact with the COVID-positive cadet to self-quarantine for 14 days. Any one with less contact should self monitor.
“NMC and GLMA have been diligent in designing and implementing safety protocols and procedures in an effort to keep our students and employees safe. Despite these efforts, the virus has made its way to our campus as it continues its rapid spread across our country. We will continue to work to limit the spread,” said Dr. Nick Nissley, NMC president. “Despite the arrival of the virus, I am pleased to see the process work. We designed the self-quarantine system to identify any risk before the cadets boarded the training ship for their cruise and that’s exactly what happened. Now we must remain vigilant against the virus in the future.”
NMC and GLMA, in collaboration with the GTCHD, will continue to monitor the situation and communicate as we get more information on this evolving situation.
Release date: July 15, 2020
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019