Fall 2021: Stay Vigilant. Be Resilient.

As the university continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, please be sure to carefully and regularly review messages from App State.

In her Oct. 22 message to campus, Chancellor Sheri Everts shared the most recent campus COVID-19 data and reminded employees of the Oct. 29 deadline to upload proof of vaccination status or submit weekly COVID-19 test results. She also shared that as of Oct. 22, 38% of employees have uploaded proof of their vaccination status.

Keep reading for full details on COVID-19-related updates and information.

Resources:
App State's Coronavirus site • App State’s Fall 2021 Guide to Campus Operations • North Carolina’s COVID-19 Information Hub

Upload Required Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Submit COVID-19 Test Results Weekly!

In her Oct. 15 message to campus, Chancellor Sheri Everts announced that all employees are required to upload proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status — the same documentation the university has been requiring from students since the beginning of the semester. 

Additionally, the Oct. 15 message to campus included instructions for faculty and staff, as well as a reminder for students who had not yet uploaded proof of vaccination to do so now.

• Employees must upload proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status by Friday, Oct. 29 or submit lab results of a COVID-19 test each week.
  
  
• Students who have not already done so, should upload proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status via their MedPortal accounts, regardless of when and where they were vaccinated.
  
  
• Can’t find your vaccination card or need a digital copy? View, download or print your vaccine record if you were vaccinated by a North Carolina provider and provided your email address.

COVID-19 testing events continue weekly

App State continues to hold on-campus COVID-19 testing clinics each week for students and employees who would like a COVID-19 test for any reason. Bring your AppCard and have your Banner ID ready.

• Getting tested on campus fulfills the weekly COVID-19 testing requirement for unvaccinated students and employees.
  
  
• Remember: Get tested for COVID-19 if you exhibit symptoms, even if you are fully vaccinated.
  
  
• On Oct. 15, CDC updated its guidance for fully vaccinated individuals to recommend that these individuals get tested 5 to 7 days post exposure. 

How do I submit my COVID-19 test results?

• If you are tested on campus, you DO NOT need to self report your results. These are automatically provided to the university.
  
  
• If you are tested off campus, the lab name or test location, your name, the test result and the test date must all be included with your test results submission. Tests must be laboratory-certified — home tests are not accepted.

Resources: 
Submit proof of vaccination • Submit Your COVID-19 Test Results • Get your COVID-19 vaccination record (NCDHHS)

Tired of Getting Required Weekly COVID-19 Tests?

All students and employees who have not uploaded proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status are required to submit weekly COVID-19 tests. 

• If you are tired of getting weekly COVID-19 tests, get vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit your fully vaccinated status to the university.

COVID-19 reporting

The university monitors all COVID-19 test submissions each week — from on-campus testing clinics and those submitted from off-campus locations. COVID-19 vaccine record submissions are also monitored. 

Remember: Visit the university’s Reporting page to:

• Self-report illness, exposure and quarantine orders, regardless of vaccination status.  
  
  
• Report off-campus COVID-19 tests and results, whether positive or negative, regardless of vaccination status.
  
  
• Submit a care and concern report — use this form if you have health-related concerns about a student or co-worker or if you have concerns about someone who is not complying with COVID-19 safety policies and procedures.

Resources: 
COVID-19 Testing • Submit Your COVID-19 Test Results • Reporting COVID-19 Cases

Vax Up for Flu and COVID-19!

The most important step in protecting you and your family from COVID-19 and the flu virus is to get vaccinated! These vaccines can be given at the same time, and both help to reduce severe illness, hospitalization and death.

• Student Health Service and Wellness and Prevention Services will host another on-campus student flu shot clinic on Nov. 1. Bring your AppCard and proof of insurance. No appointments needed.
  
  
• AppHealthCare provides flu vaccines to community members — call 828-264-4995 to schedule an appointment.
  
  
• Many local pharmacies provide flu vaccines — find a flu vaccine provider near you.
  
  
• App State’s Student Health Service provides flu vaccines for students and COVID-19 vaccines (as well as additional doses and booster shots for eligible individuals) to students, faculty and staff — call 828-262-3100 for more information. 

Additional information about COVID-19 vaccines is available on the university’s COVID-19 Vaccines page. Consult your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

COVID-19 Vaccine data

• As of Oct. 22, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker reports that more than 190 million Americans, or 57%, have been fully vaccinated — about 66% of Americans have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. 
  
  
• As of Oct. 22, North Carolina has administered almost 11.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. Of the state’s adult population, 66% has been fully vaccinated, and 55% of the state’s total population has been fully vaccinated.

Flu vaccine resources:
Flu vaccine finder • Flu vaccine guidance (CDC) • FAQ Flu Questions: 2021-22 Season (CDC) • Flu vaccine guidance (NCDHHS)

COVID-19 vaccine resources: 
COVID-19 Vaccines • Get your COVID-19 vaccination record (NCDHHS) • Vaccines for COVID-19 (CDC) • COVID-19 Vaccine Information (NCDHHS) • Who Is Eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot? (CDC) • COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters and Additional Doses (NCDHHS)

COVID-19 data: 
App State COVID-19 Dashboard • AppHealthCare COVID-19 dashboard • COVID-19 vaccines dashboard (NCDHHS) • COVID Data Tracker (CDC)

Campus Operations

• Health Promotion for Faculty and Staff and the American Red Cross will sponsor a faculty and staff blood drive on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Linville Falls Room of the Plemmons Student Union. Walk-ins are accepted but appointments are suggested.

Additional Information

Please remember the global pandemic is dynamic and continues to be a rapidly developing situation. Continue to read your App State email regularly — the latest information is also posted to App State’s Coronavirus site.

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

Additional resources:
Latest Updates • Face Coverings • COVID-19 Vaccines • Reporting COVID-19 Cases • COVID-19 Testing