Spring 2022 semester 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. 14 update to campus, she shared the results of consultation with state, local and campus public health experts, as well as the UNC System, regarding the progression of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, and reminded campus the university’s COVID-19 dashboard will be updated on Tuesday, Jan. 18 with the benefit of this guidance.

• 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, and vaccine records can be updated on-site.
  
  
• If you have not already done so, submit proof of your booster or additional dose as soon as possible. This ensures the Emergency Management team can provide quick and efficient isolation/quarantine guidance as needed. Booster and additional dose records are not currently tied to the university’s weekly testing requirements.
  
  
• Face coverings continue to be required in all indoor campus locations, regardless of vaccination status. Well-fitted face coverings provide the best protection. Read information from the UNC School of medicine and CDC guidance on face coverings.
  
  
• Students and employees who are not fully vaccinated will continue to be required to submit weekly COVID-19 test results if they are on campus at any time.
  
  
• Employees with questions about COVID-19 leave options should visit the Office of Human Resources site and review the updated Summary of Current COVID-19 Employee Leave Options PDF.

If you feel sick:

If you feel sick, stay home, monitor your symptoms and get a COVID-19 test.

• Students and employees can get tested on campus each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Student Health Service offers testing by appointment to students with COVID-19 symptoms.
  
  
• Students should communicate with their faculty and employees should communicate with their supervisors to arrange for short-term remote options.
  
  
• If you become concerned about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
  
  
• Read here about what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 and when you can return to class or work.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19:

If you test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status:

• Stay home as soon as you receive your positive test result, isolate per CDC’s guidelines and monitor for symptoms.
  
  
• If you tested off campus, report your test result to the university. If you get tested at an on-campus testing clinic, you DO NOT need to submit your results as these are automatically provided to the university. Upon receiving notice of your positive test results, the university’s COVID-19 response team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
  
  
• Review CDC’s isolation guidance for precautions to take for 5-10 days after your positive test result, including when to wear a face covering and when you can leave isolation and return to campus.

Students living in residence halls who need to isolate or quarantine will be required to return home to do so, with few exceptions.

If you have been exposed to COVID-19:

If you are identified as a close contact of an individual who tests positive for COVID-19, you may be directed by public health to quarantine, depending on your vaccination status.

Students living in residence halls who need to isolate or quarantine will be required to return home to do so, with few exceptions.  

Regardless of vaccination status, if you were exposed to COVID-19 you should:

• Self-report the exposure to the university so the university’s COVID-19 response team can follow-up with you. If you are vaccinated, you may not have to quarantine.
  
  
• Monitor your symptoms for 10 days after the exposure. If you develop symptoms, immediately isolate and get tested.
  
  
• Get tested at least five days after the exposure. If you get tested off campus, report your test result to the university.
  
  
• Review CDC’s quarantine guidance for information about when to quarantine, wear a face covering and other precautions to take for 5-10 days after exposure.

When can I come back to class or work after quarantine or isolation?

App State is following CDC guidance for COVID-19 quarantine and isolation. Review the university’s Quarantine and Isolation page for information about and links to CDC’s quarantine and isolation guidance, and precautions to take for 5-10 days.

• Students, Emergency Management will reach out to you to provide additional information. Questions? Contact safety@appstate.edu.
  
  
• Faculty and staff, the Office of Human Resources will work with employees and supervisors. Questions? Contact millerad@appstate.edu or 828-262-3187.

Latest COVID-19 public health guidance:

• CDC continues to urge all eligible individuals to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines, because vaccines and boosters continue to provide the strongest protection against COVID-19 serious illness, hospitalizations and death.
  
  
• According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), unvaccinated individuals make up the large majority of hospitalizations and COVID-19-related ICU admissions in North Carolina. 
  
  
• On Jan. 12, the North Carolina Healthcare Association published an open letter urging all North Carolinians to get vaccinated and boosted due to the highly infectious Omicron variant. Hospitals are filling up with COVID-19 patients – a vast majority of whom are unvaccinated.
  
  
• On Jan. 7, CDC updated its Moderna booster shot guidance, shortening the recommended booster shot interval to five months.
  
  
• On Jan. 11, NCDHHS reported that it is opening more sites across the state and increasing access to at-home collection kits.
  
  
• On Jan. 13, NCDHHS announced that it has updated its COVID-19 dashboard to show how many people in North Carolina are up-to-date with vaccination — view NCDHHS’ vaccinations dashboard.

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 and Reporting

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