Photos: VMI cadets in quarantine
Virginia Military Institute, like many other colleges, is experiencing an increase in positive COVID-19 tests. Students who either have COVID-19 or were in contact with someone who tested positive are quarantining in nearby hotels.
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Virginia Military Institute cadet Hannah White opens the door to her hotel room to a visit from Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, interim superintendent, at right and Sgt. Maj. Tom Sowers. White is in COVID isolation at the Econo Lodge, waiting to return to campus.
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Virginia Military Institute cadets Adam Waites, foreground, and Ethan Watts came down from their quarantine room at the barracks to pick up a hot meal for dinner that was delivered.
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Virginia Military Institute catering employees Zandra Boone, left, and Felice Bartle bring hot dinners to cadets in quarantine at the barracks on Wednesday. The evening’s meal consisted of chicken, broccoli and mashed potatoes and a box of nonperishable items. VMI has put a comprehensive procedure plan in place for cadets in COVID-19 quarantine.
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Virginia Military Institute Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, interim superintendent, visits quarantined and isolated cadets at the Econo Lodge in Lexington on Wednesday. Wins is accompanied by Sgt. Maj. Tom Sowers, at right. The two ask cadets in COVID quarantine questions about their physical and mental well being and making sure they had enough to eat.
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Virginia Military Institute catering employees prepare hundreds of meals daily for cadets in COVID quarantine. On Wednesday in Crozet Hall a meal of chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli is being prepped for delivery to area hotels in COVID quarantine and those in quarantine at the barracks. The staff tries to make sure the cadets are well fed and have hefty portions of food because they tend to eat a lot.
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Virginia Military Institute catering employees prepare hundreds of meals daily for cadets in COVID quarantine. On Wednesday in Crozet Hall a meal of chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli is being prepped for delivery to area hotels in COVID quarantine and those in quarantine at the barracks. The staff tries to make sure the cadets are well fed and have hefty portions of food because they tend to eat a lot.
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Virginia Military Institute director of auxiliary services, Lt. Col. Lee Clark, left, and Assistant Director Lt. Col. Alyssa Astphan work daily to get cadets hearty nourishing meals in a safe environment, among a long list of other duties. They have strategically organized the dining area at Crozet Hall for cadet safety.
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Virginia Military Institute cadet Nathaniel Coddington plays Retreat and To The Colors during a lowering of the flag ceremony at the end of the day.
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Virginia Military Institute cadets do a daily lowering of the flag ceremony Wednesday evening.
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Virginia Military Institute cadets walk around the barracks all fully masked for COVID-19 safety on Wednesday.
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Virginia Military Institute Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, interim superintendent, far left, visits students in COVID isolation and quarantine at the Econo Lodge on Wednesday.
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Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, Virginia Military Institute’s interim superintendent, visits students in COVID isolation and quarantine at the Econo Lodge on Wednesday.
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Virginia Military Institute cadet sentinel guards the barracks on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.
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A cadent can be seen walking in the barracks of the Virginia Military Institute from where the statue of Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson once stood.
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Heather Rousseau
Heather Rousseau is a staff photographer with The Roanoke Times. She moved to Roanoke in 2015 and has worked around the country as a visual journalist for over 15 years. She loves to share stories through photography and video.
Like other schools, VMI experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases this month. Staff say initial issues have now been addressed, and the number of active cases has started to decline.