WVU Today | COVID-19 guidance updated as omicron cases and hospitalizations climb in West Virginia – WVU Today

With the continued spread of the omicron variant and increased hospitalization rates in the state and region, West Virginia Universityis providing additional guidance on campus health and safety protocols including masking, testing, vaccines and isolation.

"Despite the recent surge in cases over the past few weeks, the high rates of vaccination in our campus community has helped to minimize serious symptoms for those who have contracted the virus, saidDr. Jeffrey Coben, dean of theSchool of Public Healthand associate vice president forHealth Affairs. We hope and anticipate that cases will begin to decline in the days ahead. However, our states hospitals are operating at or above capacity, and we must continue to follow the health and safety protocols that have been instituted to keep our communities safe.

Dr. Clay Marsh, WVU Health Sciences vice president and executive dean and West Virginias COVID-19 czar, recently shared insight on where we are in the pandemic and how we can continue to protect ourselves and our communities.

Key takeaways:

Mask policy extended through Feb. 25

Masks will continue to be required for everyone regardless of vaccination status indoors in all WVU System buildings and facilities through at least Feb. 25 when public health conditions will again be reevaluated.

Masks continue to be required for passengers on thePRTandWVU busesthrough March 18 under federal guidelines from theTransportation Security Administration.

Additionally, masks are required inside the Mountainlair, Evansdale Crossing and dining halls except when eating. Masks are also required inside the WVU Student Rec Center except when exercising.

Masks are also required in clinical and patient care areas of theHealth Sciences Campuses.

WVU Medicine has updated its mask policy and is strongly encouraging non-clinical staff who do not work in patient care areas to switch to a medical-grade mask, not cloth masks, and is also no longer allowing the use of gaiters at any of its hospitals, clinics or non-clinical work sites.

While strongly encouraged, masks are not required of individuals in private office spaces behind closed doors. With the mutual consent of the participants, masks may be removed in private meetings.

Masks are also strongly encouraged, but not required indoors at WVU Athletics venues during public events.

School of Public Healthgeneral preventive medicine residents answer some frequently asked questions about masks, including the KN95 mask, recommended by WVU, and N95 mask, used widely in patient-care settings.

Get vaccinated and boosted

Watch this video with Dr. Carmen Burrell, medical director ofWVU Medicine Student Healthand Urgent Care, as she answers important questions about COVID-19 vaccine boosters like when to get one, how long to wait after infection and which one to get.

The University continues to strongly encourage, but not require, vaccinations.According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, data from recent studies suggest that boosters significantly enhance vaccine effectiveness against infection of the omicron variant. Boosters also decrease the risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death for those who are vaccinated but become infected with COVID-19.

In partnership with theMonongalia County Health Department, WVU will continue to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout the spring semesterat the WVU Student Rec Center. WVU Medicine Student Healthhas walk-in appointments available for WVU students during regular business hours for the Pfizer vaccine at its clinic in the Health and Education Building.

Vaccines continue to be readily available across the state and country.

Those on the Health Sciences Campus involved in patient care, including residents, fellows and students, are required to follow separate WVU Medicine or other clinical providers policies, including those related to COVID-19 such as masks, PPE and vaccinations.

Please check WVUs Return to Campus site for the most up-to-date information on vaccine clinics and how to schedule an appointment.

Verifying a COVID-19 vaccination by Jan. 28

Prior toFriday, Jan. 28, all students, faculty and staff who are on campus should take one of the following actions to verify their vaccine status with the University.

Updated Isolation guidance

Students living in residence halls on the Morgantown campus will be isolated in Gaskins House or Lyon Tower. Those living off campus will isolate in their residences.

Testing available most days the WVU Rec Center

Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 1, free COVID-19 community testing at the WVU Student Rec Center in partnership with the Monongalia County Health Department will be available on Mondays, Tuesdays and most Thursdays and Fridays throughout February.

No appointment required, and no pre-registration is required for WVU students and employees.

Check the Return to Campus site frequently for updated information on community testing, including for WVU Techstudents and employees and those atWVU Potomac State College.

COVID-19 dashboard

Given the change in requirements for students, faculty and staff to be considered optimally vaccinated for COVID-19 at WVU, the Universityspublic dashboardwill be updated to report the vaccination verification rate on a biweekly basis beginning in early February for theMorgantown,BeckleyandKeysercampuses.

The dashboard will be available every Wednesday by 2 p.m. and will share the latest data including testing and isolation numbers.

Communications

Visit theReturn to Campuswebsite for the latest COVID-19 updates. New information also will continue to be shared inMOUNTAINEER E-Newsfor employees andUnewsfor students.

Questions related to COVID-19 and WVUs health and safety protocols can be sent via email toreturntocampus@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

UR/01/27/22

MEDIA CONTACT: April KaullExecutive Director of CommunicationsUniversity Relations304-293-3990;April.Kaull@mail.wvu.edu

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WVU Today | COVID-19 guidance updated as omicron cases and hospitalizations climb in West Virginia - WVU Today