COVID-19

Omicron variant rushes at YSU

Students return to class as cases surge

YOUNGSTOWN -- Even though the number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge in the Mahoning Valley, life on the Youngstown State University campus appears to resemble a sense of normalcy, as reflected in several students' actions and thoughts regarding the ongoing pandemic.

"It's concerning right now, with everyone going back to school," Luke Conkey of Boardman, a YSU junior who's majoring in education with an emphasis on math and science, said Monday. "I feel that as long as we social distance and I continue with my mask, I'm safe."

The university began the spring semester Monday with in-person classes.

YSU reported 131 COVID-19 cases for the week of Jan. 2 to Saturday, up considerably from the 53 reported between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. Of the 131 cases, 91 were students who live off campus, 11 were those who live on campus and 29 were employees, according to the university's COVID-19 dashboard.

In a news release last week, Brien N. Smith, provost and vice president for academic affairs, noted several protocols and precautions are in place to ensure students' and faculty members' safety, such as face-mask requirements in all buildings regardless of vaccination status. Smith also urged students to get vaccinated or boosted, stay home if ill, submit to a COVID-19 test, wash and sanitize hands frequently, and perform daily health tests.

Nevertheless, YSU officials anticipated an uptick in the case numbers, given the fast spread of the omicron variant, Ron Cole, university spokesman, said Monday.

"The increase reflects the increases we are experiencing throughout the community," Cole stated in an email. "We will continue to closely monitor the numbers and take the steps necessary to make the campus safe."

Among those who feel safe on campus are friends Savanna Triplett, 20, of Salem, and Alyssa Lester, 22, of Struthers, both of whom are in YSU's respiratory therapy program.

"I keep my hands washed all day, every day," said Lester, who noted being immunized is a prerequisite for the program's clinical trials and being double-masked is required for working in area hospitals.

Triplett added that she dons a mask also at the grocery store and in other public settings.

Wearing masks also is a top priority for Kent Kramer, Anthony Gallo and Vince DeToro, who are majoring in history, biology and pre-med, respectively, and are Poland Seminary High School graduates. All three also have been vaccinated.

Kramer said the omicron variant may be less dangerous than the delta one, but "I'm hoping we don't go back online." It's counterproductive to continually worry about the pandemic because doing so can lead to panic and possibly more "extreme measures," he said.

Gallo said he had the omicron variant, but was feeling well Monday and will continue to wear a mask and take the precautions as long as necessary.

In one of his classes, DeToro saw firsthand how much more transmissible the omicron variant is, compared to the delta one, but that omicron is less deadly.

"I keep my mask on and I keep my hands sanitized, and I wash my hands any opportunity I get," Allison Centofanti, who works in YSU's First Year Student Services office, said.

Centofanti, of Poland, added she has a general uneasiness about the omicron variant and the pandemic in general.

Despite the health crisis, freshman Shelby Miller, 18, of Greene, said she is trying her best to live a normal life. The Maplewood High School graduate and dental-hygiene major said she's a "big hand washer" and she follows recommendations outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as wearing a mask in public and distancing herself from others when sick.

The university will be holding the first of several on-campus vaccination and flu clinics this semester. The next one is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Daniel L. Rossi Room (formerly the Ohio Room) in Kilcawley Center.

The Youngstown City Health Department will administer the COVID-19 booster shot, along with flu shots, although the boosters will not be available to those who have had the flu shot within two weeks of the clinic, the university has said.