COVID-19 weekly update from App State’s Project Management Implementation Team (PMIT) week of June 29 - July 5

Posted 07/03/20 at 10:55 a.m.

App State’s Project Management and Implementation Team provides a weekly progress report to campus from the teams across campus preparing for resuming daily operations, the start of the fall 2020 semester and beyond.

CDC updated testing guidance:

The university's Health, Wellness and Clinical Management team is exploring what testing measures may be feasible and will continue communications to campus as decisions are made.

As of June 30, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend entry testing of all returning students, faculty and staff at Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) because to date it is unknown whether entry testing on a broad scale would reduce transmission of the virus more than the use of other infection control measures (e.g., adequate social distancing, correct use of cloth face covering, frequent hand washing, enhanced cleaning and disinfection).

The CDC does state, “in areas with moderate to substantial community transmission where resources allow, local health officials and IHEs may consider testing some or all asymptomatic students, faculty, and staff who have no known exposure (e.g., students in congregate housing such as residence halls) to identify outbreaks and inform control measures.”

• Read more about CDC testing guidance for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) here.

• Find information about testing on the App State coronavirus page here.

We are continuing our ongoing discussions with local public health officials about testing options for our campus. In accordance with CDC, UNC System and state and local public health guidelines, the university will continue exploring testing options and will keep our community informed.

Coping during COVID-19:

The CDC provides guidance for coping during COVID-19, which includes:

• Take breaks from social media and from watching, reading or listening to news stories if you are feeling overwhelmed or distressed.

• Do what you can to eat healthy foods, exercise, get adequate sleep and find time to unwind.

• Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Find additional CDC resources on coping and daily life during COVID-19 here or contact the National distress hotline: 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

Find App State-specific resources and information about health, safety and wellness during COVID-19 here.

Campus health and safety signage:

University Communications (UComm) and Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management (EHS&EM) collaborated with AppHealthCare to develop clear and consistent health and safety signage for campus buildings. 

As we prepare to return to campus, Facilities Operations is installing health and safety signs at building entrances/exits, on elevators, outside and in classrooms and labs, in hallways and common areas, and in restrooms. Facilities Operations staff will replace common area signs as needed and will remove non-approved signs.

Departments and units on campus will be provided signage for use in office areas at no charge. 

Health and safety signage inventory, ordering and delivery information will be available to campus next week.

Communications and updates:

• App State’s Coronavirus Information site includes the latest updates from Chancellor Everts along with other updates related to returning to campus, COVID-19 operations and response. Read the latest updates and additional information here.

• On June 29, Human Resources released an update on work and leave provisions that is effective July 1, 2020. 

• Last week, we shared information on course delivery and class schedules and the on-campus student housing move-in process. You can read last week’s message here.

• Future PMIT email updates will address trending questions, comments and suggestions submitted via the “Submit a question” form on the Continuity in the time of COVID-19 site. 

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 reporting process:

AppHealthCare, our local public health agency, continues to collaborate with the university on testing, tracing and reporting positive App State COVID-19 cases. The university’s coronavirus website includes a positive case dashboard with COVID-19 test results, the number of positive COVID-19 cases and information related to testing sites. The dashboard shows a breakdown of active cases as well as cumulative cases.

• You can find the positive and active case count dashboard here.

• You can read detailed information on the COVID-19 reporting process here.

Information coming soon:

• Information about campus building operations for fall semester.

• Information about broad-based educational programming regarding public health, COVID-19 safety and community expectations.

• Health and safety signage inventory, ordering and delivery information.

• Answers to trending questions, comments and suggestions submitted via the “Submit a question” form on the Continuity in the time of COVID-19 site.