Dear Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University Students, Faculty and Staff,
As COVID-19 case numbers continue to decline in the counties where we have campuses and locations, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State has reassessed its current testing strategy for the unvaccinated members of our university community.
We based our reassessment on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new as well as consultation with experts from our College of Public Health and local health departments. Based on the CDC levels, all Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State locations and campuses are in counties where the community level is considered low, and these counties have remained at low for more than two weeks.
We also have taken into consideration the number of cases reported on all our campuses, which for the past two weeks ending March 12 have been 23 – fewer than two per day reported in a community of about 40,000 students, faculty and staff.
We continue to see a consistent decrease in COVID-19 cases, with the last two weeks recording the lowest number of new cases since the beginning of the academic year.
Therefore, until further notice, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State will not require weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated students, faculty and staff. We will reevaluate this strategy should case counts increase significantly.
Testing Remains Available
COVID-19 testing remains readily available on our campuses, including at the on the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Campus for those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, at the Visit Healthcare location on the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Campus and through at-home test kits distributed on all campuses.
We also have consolidated all Visit Healthcare testing into one location at the Eastway Lounge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
We encourage everyone to test before departing for spring break to stop any potential spread of the virus to others as you head home to see family and friends or depart for travel for pleasure, volunteer work or study.
Likewise, we strongly encourage you to test when you return from spring break to make sure that you aren’t bringing the virus back with you.
As always, continue to monitor your health and to get tested if you are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, which may be like cold or flu symptoms, or if you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
Boost Before Break
For an added layer of protection, we also strongly encourage everyone eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccine booster shot before spring break.
on the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Campus and at numerous other , many of which are very convenient to our Regional Campuses. Once you get a booster shot, please let us know your status by reporting your booster shot here.
So far, we have had a successful semester keeping our community safe and healthy. Let’s work together in the true Flashes Take Care of Flashes spirit to ensure that our success continues through spring break and to the semester’s end.
Sincerely,
Lisa Dannemiller, M.D.
Chief University Physician
Interim Director, University Health Services
Melissa Zullo, Ph.D., MPH
Director, Pandemic Institutionalization Effort
Interim Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs
Program Coordinator – Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Professor of Epidemiology, College of Public Health