New COVID Boosters Approved, Reminders About Reporting and Isolation

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

A short time ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved a new round of COVID vaccinations. As Syracuse University has in the past, we will be once again offering COVID vaccine clinics, as well as flu shot clinics, on campus. The University does not yet have a supply of the new COVID vaccine doses; however, once we know when they will arrive, we will share a schedule of clinics with our campus community.

As I mentioned in my last email on Aug. 23, I will be periodically providing important public health information and reminders to help our students, faculty and staff keep themselves and those around them informed and healthy. Today, I want to share a few brief reminders about the following areas:

1. How to report a positive COVID test
2. Student isolation protocols and procedures
3. Staying healthy this cold and flu season

How to report a positive COVID test

If you test positive for COVID, we ask that you immediately self-report and take the appropriate action.

• Students: If you are a student who takes in-person classes on campus, you must report a positive COVID test. To do so, please visit the Barnes Center at The Arch website and complete the test result notification form. If you test positive during a health visit to the Barnes Center, this information will be entered by your provider. More information on student isolation protocols and procedures is included below.
• Faculty/Staff: If you receive a positive test result, please notify your supervisor and HR Shared Services by phone at 315.443.4042. Following notification, if you are symptomatic, you are required to isolate for five days. If you are asymptomatic or if your symptoms resolve after five days, you may exit isolation. If your symptoms persist, you should wait until you are fever free. Once you are fever free, you may exit isolation. All those exiting isolation should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional five days.

If you have any questions about what you should do in the event of a positive COVID test, please visit our Stay Safe website and review the COVID response checklists.

Student isolation protocols and procedures

As a reminder, students who test positive for COVID are required to follow isolation protocols and procedures. This means isolating in your residence—either on campus or off—and taking the necessary precautions to keep those around you safe. We encourage our students to follow the guidance of the CDC for best practices as it relates to isolating. This means remaining home for five days; wearing a high-quality mask if you must be around others while home; avoiding sharing any personal items like cups, towels and utensils; using a separate bathroom (if possible) and staying away from your roommates as much as possible. To learn more about our isolation protocols and procedures, visit the Stay Safe website.

We know how important it is to maintain your academic efforts, even while under the weather. Upon notifying the Barnes Center of your positive COVID test, we will work with you to ensure you have access to the services and resources you need to continue your studies.

Staying healthy this cold and flu season

There are a number of steps you can take to stay healthy this cold and flu season, and to avoid becoming ill with COVID. They are the following:

1. Get vaccinated! The most important step you can take to prevent serious illness is to get your vaccines. This includes the COVID and influenza vaccines. To find a vaccine clinic near you, visit the Vaccine Finder website.
2. Monitor for COVID- and cold/flu-like symptoms. If you’re a student experiencing symptoms, please take a home COVID test as your first step. If you test positive, please take the action as described above. If you test negative, but your symptoms persist, contact the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000. Barnes Center staff will direct you on what actions to take next. Faculty and staff should contact their primary care provider.
3. If you are feeling under the weather, stay home! If you have to be around people, wear a mask to limit the spread of your symptoms. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask is welcome to do so and should be supported.
4. Cover your cough and sneezes.
5. Wash your hands often.
6. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
7. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, especially your residence hall rooms.
8. Avoid sharing cups, utensils, lip balm, etc.

The University continues to monitor all developments related to COVID, influenza and other communicable diseases. As always, you will continue to receive messages throughout the semester if there is any new or pertinent public health information to share.

Sincerely,

Ramesh Raina
Professor, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences