Guilford College issued the following announcement on Jan. 21.
Following is our weekly update for the spring 2022 semester. We will continue to share updates each Thursday as a way of ensuring regular and trusted communication on important topics related to the College's operations related to Covid-19. In this update, you will find:
- Slides from Wednesday’s campus information session
- Update on testing and new testing registration link
- Return to in-person instruction on Jan. 24
- Booster requirement and Vaccine Clinic
- Guidance on masking, isolation and quarantine
- Regular and relevant data to understand the health of our community
- Information on the next testing and vaccination opportunities on and off campus
- Information on important phasing and planning related to activities across campus
- Answers to frequently asked questions
Thank you for the incredible number of you who attended Wednesday’s COVID update via Zoom. You can find the slides (with links to important information) by clicking here.
Update on Testing
The testing that was canceled on Tuesday has been rescheduled for Friday, Jan 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Hege Academic Commons, Carnegie Room. Testing is required for those with religious and medical exemptions. Anyone else who is experiencing symptoms or feels they may have been exposed should also get tested. Please pre-register using this link. If inclement weather causes us to cancel, then the next testing clinic will be Tuesday, Jan. 25. Watch the Buzz and your email for more information.
New Starmed Testing Registration Link
For future on-campus testing clinics, please note that we now have a new registration link that is for the exclusive use of Guilford College. To register for a testing session, use this link. The link will update with the next test date within 24 hours of the testing, so you won’t be able to pre-register multiple days early.
Rapid testing is available for anyone who is experiencing any COVID-like symptoms. Contact studenthealth@guilford.edu or Public Safety (336.316.2909) for more information.
Return to In-person Instruction on Jan. 24
In-person instruction will resume starting Monday, Jan. 24. Even though we do not have complete testing data from our previous clinics, over 95 percent of our campus community is vaccinated with the one-shot J&J or two-shot Pfizer and Moderna series. This, combined with our continued use of masking and social distancing and our new booster requirement, positions us to open up restrictions including:
- Further opening Hege Academic Commons; use of first and second floors will be allowed.
- In-person dining will be permitted.
- The Fitness Center will be open.
Booster Requirement and Vaccine Clinic
The most effective way to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and its variants on our campus community is to have as many people as possible fully vaccinated and boosted. Guilford will require that faculty, staff and students receive and report a COVID-19 booster shot by Feb. 15 for those who are eligible for a booster. Next week more information will be communicated to faculty, staff and students about the booster submission process. A booster clinic for the campus community was held on Jan. 14, and another booster clinic will be held on Jan. 27. We will keep everyone apprised as additional dates are added.
Next Vaccination/Booster Clinic
We have an on-campus vaccine clinic scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Founders Hall, Boren Lounge. Both the Pfizer and Moderna boosters will be offered. If it has been more than 5 months since your second Pfizer or 6 months since your second Moderna shot you are eligible for the booster. If you had the J/J vaccine more than 2 months ago, you are eligible to get either booster. Bring your vaccine card. There is no charge for the booster.
Guidance on Masking, Isolation, and Quarantine
The College continues to mandate mask wearing indoors until further notice. We encourage members of the community to wear KN95 (most preferable) or surgical-type disposable masks rather than single-layer fabric masks. KN95 masks are available in the Hege Commons Ground vending machine. Guilford County reinstated its mandatory mask policy on Jan. 13. Individuals must wear face coverings when indoors in all business, establishments and public places.
Based on conversation with the Guilford County Health Department, we are making changes to our quarantine and isolation protocols, as described in this flow chart for students and this flow chart for employees. We have adopted CDC recommendations that take into consideration an individual's vaccination status (fully vaccinated, under vaccinated, and unvaccinated), exposure vs. testing positive, and symptom levels.
The College is reacting and responding to this situation on a daily basis. We will continue to change our approach as the situation warrants.
Thank you to everyone for their continued patience and support. It is your support and adherence to safety guidelines that allows us to further open the campus. We appreciate the community effort to safeguard yourself, your friends, your family and the greater community.
Sincerely,
The Guilford College Health and Safety Task Force
Kim Berry and Steve Mencarini, co-chairs
Janet Gould
Suzanne Bartels
Savannah Henry
Maya Chevalier
Kim-Anne Kleimeier
Reacie Daniel
Erickia Elbert
Ryann Fowler
Michele Malotky
Susan Smith
Original source can be found here.
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