The post University discontinuing contagion pay for COVID-19 appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.

The post Discontinuing the Time Off to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine Policy appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.

The post Fall 2023: COVID-19 boosters available for students appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.

The post Discontinuing the COVID-19 vaccine sick day appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.

With the start of a new academic year, we want to offer a few reminders of the current University guidelines on COVID-19. This year, all updated COVID-19 content and resources will continue to be posted to the COVID Resource Center website. We ask that you take a moment to review:��

• Information for Students
• Information for Staff and Faculty

Additionally, specific information for faculty, staff and students at the Medical Center campus can be found on the (login required).

Vaccinations:

Although no longer a requirement, we strongly recommend staying up to date on COVID vaccinations, including receiving the new booster that is targeted to the most recent strains of COVID. This booster is expected to be available later this fall.

Face Masks:

We continue to encourage anyone who prefers to wear a mask to do so. It is important to remember that masking is a personal choice, and no one should be made to feel uncomfortable for wearing one.��If you learn that you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should start wearing a mask immediately. Students needing a face mask can pick one up at the UHS offices (reminder: face masks are strongly encouraged inside the UHS building).

Faculty and staff who work with patients in the University’s clinical areas have different masking requirements found .

Testing:

Rapid COVID test kits are available to students 24/7 at no cost in the vending machine located in the outer lobby of the UHS River Campus location, or by calling the UHS office at (585) 275-2662. Test kits are also available during office hours at the Eastman School of Music UHS office. Faculty and staff should purchase home tests or seek out a COVID test through a local health center, pharmacy, or a primary care provider.

Instruction:

As in the case of other illnesses and excused absences, faculty are expected to make reasonable accommodations for students in COVID isolation, including allowing them to participate in class to the extent possible, and to make up all missed assignments. Faculty are not expected to offer synchronous remote class participation, but are expected to provide access to course materials to the degree practicable, such as making available asynchronous recordings of classes (if the class is recorded) and/or lecture notes. As with other illnesses, students are not expected to show their instructors a positive COVID test result in order to gain access to the accommodations.

Staying Healthy:

A reminder that it is important to wash your hands often with soap and water, get plenty of rest, and get a flu shot. UHS will soon communicate about the availability of River Campus flu shot clinics this year, and URMC has announced its flu vaccination program for its faculty and staff.

Thank you for your commitment to the well-being of our community. It is essential that we prioritize the health and safety of our entire University community to keep us all healthy and thriving throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
President and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor

David Figlio
Provost and Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education
Ģ����ý

Mark Taubman, M.D.
CEO, Ģ����ý Medical Center and Dean, School of Medicine and Dentistry

Kathleen Gallucci
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

The post Updated COVID-19 Guidance and Resources appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.

We are writing to inform you that the COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be required of Ģ����ý students, faculty and staff. This transition aligns with the end of the federal COVID public health emergency, and New York State’s recent decision to begin the full repeal of its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for employees at hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. The University will lift the vaccine requirement for its health-care workers in accordance with Department of Health guidelines when the repeal is final, which is expected to happen later in June. The requirement will be lifted effective June 5, 2023 for the rest of the University community.

We are encouraged by the data showing low rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations nationwide and locally. However, we have learned that things can change quickly with respect to COVID and other infectious diseases and we will continue to respond appropriately, and do all that we can to protect our students, faculty, staff and community.

While the University will no longer mandate COVID vaccination, staying up to date on COVID vaccines and boosters remains strongly encouraged to protect against the virus’s severe effects, and to mitigate the illness in the community. Current data supports vaccination, showing that for those who are not vaccinated, the incidence of COVID is three times greater and the risk of death is four times greater.

We appreciate your cooperation with the University’s COVID policies over the past three years. Adherence to the vaccination, masking and physical distancing policies was very important in responding to COVID, and we’ve taken a thoughtful, measured approach in peeling back these measures one at a time, always aligning with the current risk of the virus and its impact on our health system, state and federal guidelines, and maintaining the health and safety of our entire University community.

Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
President and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor

David Figlio
Provost and Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education

Mark Taubman, M.D.
CEO, Ģ����ý Medical Center and Dean, School of Medicine and Dentistry

Kathleen Gallucci
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

The post University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement comes to an end appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.

Read the full message on the Office of the Provost website.

The post Provost issues update on tenure extensions due to COVID-19 appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ģ����ý has relied on the best information available to make sound policy decisions and keep our University community safe and healthy. From the very beginning, we listened to the expert guidance of our medical professionals, and like our local, state, and federal agencies, we used measurable data and reliable science to guide our recommendations and protocols.

Now, with to let New York’s COVID state of emergency expire, and with increasing empirical evidence that the Omicron variants of COVID are less likely to cause severe disease in infected individuals than influenza, we are continuing to reassess some of our guidelines and protocols. This reassessment also follows an examination of the health and safety practices at our peer institutions and our neighboring colleges and universities. After surveying and speaking with key representatives at over 20 peer schools, we determined it was time to revise some of our COVID-related practices, and to treat the virus like we do other illnesses.

Face Masks

Effective immediately, masking will no longer be required on University campuses or on University transportation/shuttles. The face mask tier system of determining mask wearing indoors will also be discontinued; however, since masking is still an effective method to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and many other contagious illnesses including the flu, we expect people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID or other contagious illnesses to isolate if possible, and wear a well-fitting mask if isolation is impossible. We continue to encourage anyone who chooses to wear a mask to do so. It is important to remember that masking is a personal choice, and no individual should be shamed or ridiculed for choosing to wear one.

Masks will continue to be required in our medical, patient-facing facilities (or “Blue Zone”) and in University Health Service (UHS) spaces. URMC students and employees should visit the for more information (login credentials required).

We will continue to monitor our area’s infection rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and we will use those data, along with information about the seriousness of new COVID variants, to determine if there is a need to re-implement a face mask requirement on our campuses. Face masks will be an infection prevention measure if cases surge in the community.

COVID reporting

We are also pausing the requirement that students report symptoms or positive COVID-19 tests to UHS. Instead, we continue to encourage everyone to stay up to date with their vaccinations and boosters, and we expect you to take proactive steps, as described above, to protect those around you if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID or other infectious illnesses. Students can continue to pick up a free COVID test kit at Rush Rhees Library, the Goergen Athletic Center, the Student Living Center at Eastman, and at any UHS office.

Boosters

UHS has bivalent COVID booster shots available for students. Because of refrigeration and storage requirements for the vaccines, the boosters will be available only at UHS. Students can schedule an appointment through UHSConnect. Additionally, students and employees can make appointments at one of the local pharmacies to receive their Omicron-targeting booster. Many pharmacies now have the bivalent booster vaccine in stock and offer it free by appointment.

Medical, dental, and nursing students must continue to follow the COVID-19 Healthcare Provider Vaccination Policy, which adheres to specific New York State regulations. More information is available here: View the policy.

Isolation

We are adjusting our quarantine and isolation policies to better match the practices at our peer institutions. Moving forward, most students who test positive should continue to isolate in their room, leaving only while masked to use a bathroom or pick up food to eat in their room.

Likewise, in the absence of risk factors for severe disease, roommates will be expected to continue living in their rooms and to follow all health and safety guidelines. In conjunction with the isolation protocols, UHS will determine on a case-by-case basis any special housing needs for well students with high-risk health conditions; most of these accommodations will be at Whipple Park.

Students who are at increased risk of severe illness if they test positive or share a room with a student who has tested positive should contact UHS at (585) 275-2662 to discuss these housing and treatment options.

We expect instructors to continue to accommodate students who need to physically isolate when experiencing symptoms of contagious illnesses to protect those around them.

Staying Healthy

A reminder that UHS provides important tips for staying healthy, which include washing your hands often with soap and water, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and getting your flu shot. We anticipate a particularly active flu season, and we have collective responsibility to ensure that our community remains healthy. URMC students, faculty, staff, and volunteers are eligible for , and a flu shot clinic for students will also be held on October 20 on the River Campus. A clinic is also being scheduled for the Eastman School of Music campus, with details available soon.

The face of COVID is changing, and we need to change with it. Of course, if infection rates rise, or if there is a significantly greater risk of spread in our community or on our campuses, we will revisit these policies and revise them as needed. Please be assured that the University and its senior leadership will continue to rely on the best data and information we have available to make sure that the URochester remains a safe and healthy place where all can learn, live, and work.

Sincerely,

David Figlio
Provost and Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education

Liz Milavec
Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer

This message was sent via email to the University community on October 4, 2022.

The post Changes to COVID-19 guidelines and practices appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.

Read the message

The original message was sent via email to the University community on August 11, 2022

Dear University Community Members,

We are looking forward to the fall 2022 semester and have prepared the COVID guidance that will help ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone. We are encouraged by the data showing low rates of , but we continue to keep in mind that COVID is still among us and still a health concern. We believe this guidance ensures safe and manageable methods to address positive cases on campus.

Face Masks

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors should check the campus digital screens, @Rochester, and the COVID-19 Resource Center to know what the COVID tier is and whether face masks are optional (low), strongly encouraged (medium), or required indoors (high) on campus. The CDC’s COVID-19 Community Level for Monroe County is currently “low,” meaning that wearing a mask indoors is currently optional. As always, students, faculty, and staff should feel comfortable and supported in their decision to wear a face mask absent a University requirement.

It’s important to remember that masks are still required in our medical, patient-facing facilities (or “Blue Zone”). Please visit the URMC Intranet for more information (login credentials required).

Student COVID Vaccination Requirements

The University now treats COVID vaccinations like other immunization requirements, and the provides updated information on immunization and vaccination requirements for students. Students new to campus should upload their proof of COVID vaccination into the system before traveling to campus and checking into their room; full instructions are available here. Returning students who completed this upload process last year do not need to do it again. Nurses will be available at UHS on August 22 and 23 to administer the Pfizer vaccine (not including boosters) to any new student who needs it. Students who receive a vaccination upon arrival do not need to isolate before moving into their residence.

While the COVID-19 booster is not a current requirement, it is encouraged for any student who is eligible. Students who have not had a booster shot will be required to quarantine after an exposure, according to current CDC guidelines.

Please note: Medical, dental, and nursing students must follow the COVID-19 Healthcare Provider Vaccination Policy, which adheres to specific New York State regulations. More information is available here.

Health Screening

Beginning in the fall semester, Dr. Chat Bot will only be used by students, faculty, and staff entering the Medical Center campus. Dr. Chat Bot is no longer being used as a tool for students to report COVID symptoms to UHS; instead, students experiencing COVID symptoms should call UHS at (585) 755-2662.

COVID Isolation for Students

In accordance with guidance from the Monroe County Health Department and consistent with the practices of many peer schools, if an on-campus student tests positive for COVID-19, they will isolate in place (in their room and in their residence hall) wearing a mask in all spaces for five full days following their positive test. A healthy roommate will have the option of moving to a University-reserved hotel room for their roommate’s isolation period of five days, if they choose, and there is no additional charge for this hotel option.

It is important to note, however, that hotel space is limited, so there is no guarantee of this option. UHS will check in with COVID-positive students while they are in isolation and will grant official approval when they can end isolation. Additional information is available here.

COVID Self-Tests for Students

Prior to arrival on campus, all students are asked to take a COVID-19 at-home test 24 hours in advance. If a student tests positive before arriving, they should delay their move-in by at least five days and notify UHS of their illness. Additionally, students can pick up a self-test kit at UHS this semester if they want to test themselves. It is also recommended that students bring a few self-test kits with them from home to have on-hand. Any student who receives a positive test needs to notify UHS by calling (585) 755-2662.

Plan for Monitoring and Responding to COVID Increases

The University will continue to follow CDC, New York State, and Monroe County guidance throughout the year, and University senior leaders and health officials will coordinate University planning.��Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to check the COVID Resource Center for the most current information.

Sincerely,

David Figlio
Provost and Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education

Liz Milavec
Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer

The post COVID-19 preparations and guidance for Fall 2022 appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.

Read the message

The post University COVID-19 Tier system to determine face mask guidance appeared first on COVID-19 Resource Center.