COVID-19 Update – January 5, 2023

Throughout the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, mitigation guidance and requirements have changed frequently. This document will address continuing efforts to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 as well as highlight Concord’s safety protocol. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) updated recommendations regarding exposure and quarantine on August 11, 2022. As we progress into the new year, Concord will continue to monitor the CDC’s recommendations and update our Campus Plan accordingly.

• Masks and/or face coverings are optional for the general employee/student population.
• Use of physical barriers (plexiglass in classrooms) is optional at the discretion of the faculty.
• Vaccinations are encouraged but are not required, except for staff/students in medical facilities, including Athletic Training and the Student Health Center on campus and off campus at clinical educational sights where required.
• Employees are encouraged to have a rapid test for COVID following day five (5) of exposure, regardless of vaccination / booster status.
• Boosters are now recommended after month five (5) for Pfizer and after month six (6) for Moderna. Boosters are now widely available.

Testing for COVID-19

• Concord will not conduct screening testing for COVID as part of the return to campus protocol for Spring 2023.
• Concord will test students who are symptomatic at the Student Health Center.
• Surveillance testing of a percentage of the student population or for athletics will not be conducted, at this time.
• There are no requirements for athletes to be tested prior to game day.
• Testing will be available at the Student Health Center for students who are experiencing symptoms.

Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

If Exposed to COVID-19

The following guidance is to be followed regardless of vaccination status:

• Begin wearing a high -quality mask immediately and continue for 10 full days. Day 0 is the day of your last exposure to someone with COVID. Day one is the first full day after your last exposure.
• Do not go places where you cannot wear a mask (for example to eat in the cafeteria).
• Watch for symptoms of COVID.
• CDC recommends that you get tested
  • Day 6 following last exposure. You should consider getting tested even if you do not develop symptoms.
  • If you become symptomatic, isolate immediately and stay home until you know the results.
• If the test is positive, follow the following isolation recommendations.

Isolation

Isolate when you have COVID or when symptomatic and awaiting test results. Day 0 is the day you were tested and Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested.

If you Test Positive for COVID

• Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others.
• Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home or in public.
• Do not travel.
• Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
• Use a separate bathroom at home, if possible.
• Don’t share personnel items like cups, towels, and utensils.

Ending Isolation

If you have no symptoms, you may end isolation after Day 5. If you have symptoms, you may end isolation after Day 5 if:

• You have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication (i.e., your body temperature is below 100 degrees).
• Your symptoms are improving.

If you still have a fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve.

After Moderate to Severe Illness

If you had moderate illness such as shortness of breath due to COVID or have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.
If you had severe illness i.e., were hospitalized due to COVID, consult your doctor before ending isolation.

Vaccinations

Although the University does not mandate COVID vaccinations of employees or students (exceptions noted elsewhere), such vaccinations are strongly encouraged as the best method for protecting oneself and others. It is not required to report your booster, but please keep your records current.

Safety Precautions

Being fully vaccinated is the priority and primary defense against the COVID virus and its variants.

The use of other safety precautions such as masking, distancing, sanitizing, and hygiene are not nearly as effective as vaccinations with the new variants. That does not mean that we should stop being attentive or seeking to do the things that will help protect others.

After being vaccinated, the next most important thing one can do is monitor for symptoms of COVID and not report to work or school when symptomatic. If symptomatic, whether vaccinated or not, you need to quarantine and get tested. If you test positive, then you need to isolate and are urged to seek medical treatment without delay.

Notice

Employees, you must report exposure to COVID and/or a positive test result to your supervisor.

Students need to inform their faculty members regarding missing class and/or to arrange for making up missed work as per other absences for illness.

Face Masks or Face Coverings

Concord University has updated our mask requirements. Masks are currently optional.

The Pandemic continues and other mitigation strategies for preventing the spread of infections should be continued.
Again, masking is now optional in all physical spaces at Concord. There may be individuals who elect to remain masked, and the campus will respect and be supportive of their decision.

Course Syllabi

Students should check with their instructors for current class practices and pay close attention to class announcements for guidance about expectations in individual classes.

This guidance is current as of date and time of issue but may change at any time and without warning. Updates to this guidance will be announced promptly.

This guidance is approved and issued by the Office of Human Resources