Summary of the latest COVID-19 information:

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. 28 update to campus:

• She shared that 80% of App State students and 90% of employees are fully vaccinated.
  
  
• She reminded campus about the importance of vaccines and boosters to reduce the severity of the virus for individuals and our healthcare systems, how to get readily available, free COVID-19 tests on campus, and encouraged wearing well-fitted face coverings and staying home if you are feeling sick.
  
  
• She also shared that in this week’s regular briefings, UNC School of Medicine experts reported that the Omicron curve is peaking higher than expected, but that we can expect to see a downward trend in cases in early to mid-February.

Cases of COVID-19 continue to rise locally and in North Carolina. On Jan. 21, NCDHHS reported record hospitalizations.

• NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley shared that the vast majority of new hospitalizations are unvaccinated individuals, and urged all North Carolinians to stay up-to-date with their vaccines and continue to wear a face covering.
  
  
• All students, faculty and staff should get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 and submit proof of vaccine status. Booster and additional dose records are not tied to weekly testing requirements but are critical for isolation/quarantine guidance.

How to protect yourself and others:

1. Get vaccinated. Stay up-to-date.
   Up-to-date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.
   
   
   • App State offers Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and boosters. Schedule an appointment.
     
     
   • Get vaccinated or boosted at Student Health Service and you’ll receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Same day appointments are available — bring your vaccine record.
     
     
2. Wear a well-fitted face covering that is comfortable and provides good protection. Face coverings are required in all indoor campus locations.
   
   
   • Review CDC’s Your Guide to Masks page for more information.
      
3. If you feel sick or test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, stay home and monitor your symptoms. If you become concerned about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
   
   
• Visit the university’s Quarantine and Isolation page for actions and precautions to take if you test positive for COVID-19 or were exposed. App State is following CDC’s COVID-19 quarantine and isolation recommendations.
  
  
• If you tested positive off-campus, report your test results here.
  
  
4. Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

COVID-19 testing and reporting:

• Students and employees can get tested on campus free of charge for any reason — anyone who is not fully vaccinated continues to be required to submit a COVID-19 test each week.
  
  
• Free, walk-in testing clinics are held on campus every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You do not have to report test results from these clinics, as the university will receive them from the testing laboratory.
  
  
• Student Health Service continues to offer testing by appointment to students with COVID-19 symptoms. You do not have to report test results if you are tested at Student Health Service.
  
  
• Getting tested on campus fulfills the weekly COVID-19 testing requirement for students and employees who have not submitted their fully vaccinated status to the university. You do not have to report your COVID-19 test results if you are tested on campus.
  
  
• AppHealthCare, Watauga County’s local public health department, offers free COVID-19 testing. Registration is required. Learn more at AppHealthCare’s COVID-19 Testing Information page.
  
  
• DO report your test results if:
• You get tested off campus.
• You use an at-home testing kit.

Additional information and resources:

• App State's COVID-19 response team works quickly to contact individuals who report illness, exposure or test results, and prioritizes contacting those individuals who have tested positive.
  
  
• Students: Emergency Management will reach out to you to provide additional information. Questions? Contact safety@appstate.edu or call 828-262-4008.
  
  
• Faculty and staff: the Office of Human Resources will work with employees and supervisors. Questions? Contact millerad@appstate.edu or 828-262-3187.
  
  
• The university’s most current COVID-19 protocols and policies are published on the App State coronavirus website. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Email ucinfo@appstate.edu or call 828-262-2000 for assistance.
  
  
• The university adjusts COVID-19 safety protocols, procedures and policies according to the latest federal, state, local and UNC System guidance.
  
  
• To view, download or print your vaccine record, visit the NC COVID-19 Vaccine Portal. On Jan. 21, NCDHHS announced that it has expanded the portal to include Federal Pharmacy Program providers.
  
  
• App State’s COVID-19 dashboard uses updated metrics to better measure the impact of new COVID-19 variants on our campus and community. Updates will continue each Monday through the spring semester.

App State resources: 
Latest Updates •  COVID-19 Vaccines • COVID-19 Testing and Reporting • Quarantine and Isolation • Face Coverings

Additional resources:
Get your COVID-19 vaccination record • North Carolina’s COVID-19 Information Hub • Flu vaccine finder