Covid Plan (Updated March 2024)
As the world turned upside down from the global COVID-19 pandemic, the É«ÖÐÉ« community stepped up to "Protect the Pack." Since the spring of 2020 the faculty and staff at É«ÖÐÉ« University have worked tirelessly to deliver the É«ÖÐÉ« experience to all of our students, both in and out of the classroom. While the pandemic continues, É«ÖÐÉ« (on both our Bethlehem and Lancaster campuses) will stay current with guidance from the CDC and our partners in the community.
Masking:
É«ÖÐÉ« University announced a shift to a mask optional policy as of March 2022 based on guidance from the CDC, PA Department of Health, and St. Luke's University Health Network.
Please be aware of the following exceptions where masking is required:
- É«ÖÐÉ« University Campus Health Center (or any medical office or clinical fieldwork site) if you are having symptoms of respiratory illness, which include cough, congestion, fever or feeling feverish, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, change or loss of taste or smell.
- After COVID diagnosis, for an additional five days, once the criteria to return are met, which are, general improvement of symptoms and remaining fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
Please consider masking around others if you:
- Have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status.
- Are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness.
For those concerned about their health, making sure you stay up to date with the you and wearing a high-quality (non-cloth) mask will provide the greatest protection against infection.
É«ÖÐÉ« University will continue to support all members of our community who choose to wear a mask.
Information for Students:
É«ÖÐÉ« will continue to review recommendations from the CDC, the PA Department of Health, and the American College Health Association regarding COVID-19 protocols for colleges and universities. Updates will be communicated to the campus community as necessary.
Students who test positive for COVID will be asked, as those who are ill with other respiratory viruses are, to self-isolate, stay out of classes and public spaces, and get meals to go (wearing a high-quality surgical mask while around others) until symptoms are improving overall and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Motrin/Advil).
Once criteria are met to return to class and activities, all are asked to take additional precautions by wearing a high-quality surgical mask for five additional days.
Please note that these general guidelines will have exemptions for immunocompromised individuals and healthcare workers. For the University community, students with field experiences in healthcare must follow the policies of the institution they visit.
Students living on campus who are diagnosed with Covid and have a roommate are encouraged to go home for their isolation. If unable to go home, they may isolate in place if their roommate agrees to this plan. Students should consult with and follow all directions of the Health Center staff regarding when to end their isolation. The student can wear a mask to go to dining to get their meals to-go. Any roommates, who would therefore be considered a known COVID-19 contact, are encouraged to wear a mask around others.
If the sick student is unable to go home and the roommate does NOT agree to share the space, the student may request isolation housing on campus. A very limited number of spaces are available for on-campus isolation.
Athletes should continue to follow the protocols mandated by the NCAA and Landmark Conference. Coaches and athletic department leadership will continue to communicate expectations.
If you need a COVID test when the Health Center is closed, please call Campus Safety (610) 861-1421. A limited number of free tests donated by the PA Department of Health are available. IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE COVID, DO NOT COME TO MUPD WITHOUT CALLING FIRST.
Information for É«ÖÐÉ« University faculty and staff:
On March 1, 2024, the CDC updated its guidelines to consolidate COVID-19 with other respiratory viruses (like influenza and RSV).
The updates include:
Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache.
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
When you return to your normal activities, take added precautions over the next five days, such as wearing a high-quality mask. Please remember that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long or how sick you were.
If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are improving overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
Then, take added precautions for the next five days.
Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end self-isolation.
Screening testing of asymptomatic people without known exposures is no longer recommended in most community settings.
Note that physical distance is just one component of protecting yourself and others. When assessing the need to maintain physical distance, it is important to consider the risk in a particular setting, including local COVID-19 Community Levels and the important role of ventilation.