Spring 2022 return to campus and COVID-19 protocols:

Chancellor Sheri Everts and the university’s COVID-19 response team continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, and remain in regular contact with state and local public health agencies as well as UNC System leadership.

In Chancellor Everts’ Jan. 7 update to campus, she shared information about how the university makes weather-related operations decisions, emphasized the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine and booster, and reminded campus of the Jan. 10 deadline to submit booster documentation.  

• Students living in residence halls began moving in today. These students were required to submit proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test prior to moving in.
  
  
• Spring semester classes begin Monday, Jan. 10, with no current plans to move in-person classes online.
  
  
• Vaccinations are our best defense against COVID-19. All students, faculty and staff should get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. App State’s Student Health Service provides vaccines, boosters and additional doses by appointment for students and employees.
  
  
• Everyone who is eligible should submit proof of their booster or additional dose by Jan. 10. While booster and additional dose records are not currently tied to the university’s weekly testing requirements, providing this information is key to the university’s quick response in the event that you are identified as a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case and may be released from quarantine per public health guidelines.
  
  
• Students and employees who are not fully vaccinated are required to submit weekly COVID-19 test results if they are on campus at any time.
  
  
• On-campus testing clinics are each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the spring semester. Read more information below.
  
  
• Face coverings continue to be required in all indoor campus locations for students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, as CDC continues to classify Watauga county as a community with high COVID-19 transmission rates.
  
  
• App State’s COVID-19 dashboard will be updated on Jan. 18, and will include metrics recommended by local public health to better measure the impact of new COVID-19 variants on our campus and community.

Latest COVID-19 guidance:

• CDC is working with public health officials to monitor the spread of the Omicron variant and urges all eligible individuals to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death.
  
  
• The Omicron variant now accounts for more than 70% of new COVID cases. NCDHHS urges all North Carolinians to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as they are eligible to protect themselves from severe illness from the Omicron variant.
  
  
• The majority of hospitalizations in North Carolina are in the unvaccinated.
  
  
• It is possible to have the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. In addition to getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, public health officials recommend getting a flu shot. 
  
  
• Public health officials also urge use of well-fitting, multi-layer face coverings — review CDC’s face covering guide for more information.
  
  
• This week, CDC updated its Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot guidance, shortening the recommended booster shot interval to five months and expanding booster shot eligibility for adolescents aged 12 to 17. At this time, only the Pfizer vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 12-17.

If you feel sick, have tested positive or have been exposed to COVID-19:

If you are feeling unwell and exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 infection:

• Stay home and monitor your symptoms. If you become concerned about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
• Get a COVID-19 test.
• Students should communicate with their faculty and employees should communicate with their supervisors to arrange for short-term remote options.

On Jan. 4, CDC updated its COVID-19 isolation and quarantine recommendations.

If you develop symptoms, get tested immediately and isolate until you receive your test results. If you test positive, follow CDC’s isolation recommendations.

• If you test positive:

• Stay home and isolate for at least five full days, regardless of vaccination status.
• Wear a face covering around others in your household during isolation and in public for an additional five days.
• If you tested off campus, report your positive test result to the university so staff can follow up with assistance and support. Once you have reported your results, the university’s COVID-19 response team will be in touch with you as soon as possible. 
• If you have had symptoms, review CDC’s guidance for ending isolation.

• If you are exposed to COVID-19:

• If you are fully vaccinated and boosted, you do not need to quarantine but should wear a face covering in public for 10 days after the exposure.
• If you are unvaccinated or eligible but not yet boosted, quarantine for five days followed by strict face covering use for an additional five days.
• Everyone should get tested at least five days after exposure.

Review CDC’s What We Know About Quarantine and Isolation page for full details.

Spring 2022 COVID-19 testing:

• On-campus testing clinics are held weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visit App State’s COVID-19 Testing page for the latest information. Dates, times and locations of clinics are subject to change due to winter weather.
  
  
• On-campus test results are typically returned within 24 hours.
  
  
• Getting tested on campus fulfills the required weekly testing requirement for unvaccinated students and employees, and you do not have to submit the results of on-campus tests.
  
  
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you exhibit symptoms, even if you are fully vaccinated.

Additional information & resources

• The university adjusts COVID-19 safety protocols, procedure and policy according to the latest federal, state, local and UNC System guidance. Read the latest updates.
  
  
• Following CDC guidance, App State uses county-based community spread data to determine when requirements, such as wearing face coverings on campus, can be lessened or lifted.  

Resources: 
COVID-19 Vaccines • Get your COVID-19 vaccination record • COVID-19 Testing

Additional resources:
Read the latest updates • Face Coverings •  Reporting COVID-19 Cases • North Carolina’s COVID-19 Information Hub • Flu vaccine finder