COVID-19 update from App State - week of Aug. 24-28

Posted 08/28/20 at 3:10 p.m.

App State’s weekly progress report to campus provides the latest operational updates and important information related to the fall 2020 semester and beyond.

Fall 2020: Answers to trending questions:

As fall semester classes continue, staff and faculty continue working steadily, in accordance with UNC System expectations and our educational mission, to assess and adjust every aspect of the Appalachian Experience to keep health and safety at the forefront. 

Where can I get a COVID-19 test?

• Pop-up COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff on Aug. 29: The university is offering free COVID-19 tests for App State students, faculty and staff at a “pop-up” testing event on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the Rivers Street Parking Deck. No appointments required but you will be asked for your Banner ID and other identifying information.

• On-going testing for students: Student Health Service offers COVID-19 tests, both molecular and rapid antigen, for students on weekdays by appointment only. Students who are concerned about symptoms should call Student Health Service at 828-262-3100 and ask to speak with a nurse. While you await your appointment, behave as if you are positive — quarantine if possible and always observe the 3W’s (Wear, Wait, Wash).

• Faculty, staff and students can be tested by AppHealthCare Monday-Friday. AppHealthCare will serve anyone, regardless of ability to pay. Schedule a test with AppHealthCare by calling the AppHealthCare COVID-19 Hotline at 828-795-1970.

• Appalachian Regional Healthcare System and many primary care providers also offer testing. 

• For a list of testing locations in Watauga County, click here.

• For a list of testing locations in Ashe County, click here.

• For a list of testing locations in Alleghany County, click here.

• The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) offers two additional tools to help you determine whether you should be tested and find testing sites:

• Visit the Check My Symptoms site here

• Visit the Find My Testing Place here

App State Data Dashboard enhancements:

App State reports confirmed cases of all students, employees and subcontractors regardless of where they are or where they are tested. All cases reported on the App State dashboard are confirmed by public health before they are added to the App State dashboard.

Added to the dashboard this week were charts showing the daily changes in active cases (those individuals who are currently in isolation) including the seven-day average, and cumulative case counts since March 27. Additional enhancements will continue to be added.

Local data (for Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany Counties) are provided by AppHealthCare district health department and the Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management (EHS&EM) team works with AppHealthCare to confirm all reported cases prior to adding them to the dashboard.

Broad-based educational programming update

The July 20 update to campus shared information on required broad-based educational programming for students, faculty and staff to be completed before returning to campus. 

• The students’ course was developed by the Wellness and Prevention Services. It is available through AsULearn and completion instructions were emailed to students. If you have any questions about completing this course, please email wpseducation@appstate.edu.

• The employees’ course is among online health and safety courses presented by Vivid Learn Systems through Appalachian’s EHS&EM office. Information on how to access the employee course is available online here. 

Communications and updates:

• Messages from Chancellor Everts: Chancellor Everts shares weekly updates with campus. These include updates related to UNC System and Board of Governors’ decisions that affect our campus planning, preparations and responses to the pandemic. Read these messages here.

• Distribution of face coverings update: Three washable, reusable face coverings have been distributed to faculty and staff and all students - including students enrolled in App State Online programs. If you have not received your face coverings or if you need a replacement, make a request via the Cloth Face Covering Replacement Request form here.

• Course delivery update - accessible online course content: This summer, the Center for Academic Excellence and the Office of Disability Resources partnered to offer training for faculty about creating accessible online course content, common accommodations that utilize technology and why accessibility matters. More than 70 faculty members attended the trainings and additional sessions are planned. Learn more about accessibility at App State here.

• Operations updates: These logistics updates share key campus operations information including safety and community expectations. Read the previous update here.

• Clearinghouse website: App State’s coronavirus website is the clearinghouse site to navigate to the latest updates across campus, find information about returning to campus, and see the university's cumulative and active case count dashboard. 

Information coming soon:

• Upcoming testing events