Coronavirus Update
January 27, 2020
Campus Return Continues with Vaccine Clinics and New CDC Guidelines
We are happy to welcome students and faculty back to the campus this week. The energy of your presence can already be felt. For those yet to return, please note a few reminders:
- A negative COVID-19 test should be uploaded to the Wellness Portal before coming to campus. At-home test results (with full name, date of birth, test date) are acceptable through this week.
- Residential students and athletes must provide proof of taking the booster shot, if eligible, at the time of move-in
The campus will resume enforcement of the green COVID badge for campus access beginning Monday, Jan. 31. Anyone who has not yet scheduled a regular COVID-19 test through the Wellness Portal should do so immediately.
Wellness Center Expands Vaccine Clinic Hours
Based on recent evidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that booster shots are 95 percent effective against the omicron variant, BSU has renewed emphasis on making the vaccine easily available to members of the campus community.
The Wellness Center has expanded vaccine clinic hours from twice a week to daily through Feb. 11 offering the Moderna vaccine for initial dose and booster. Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday.
The Maryland Equity Task Force will conduct a walk-in vaccination clinic on campus at CNSMN Beacon Room Feb. 3 and Feb. 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for initial and booster shots. No appointment is necessary.
BSU Observes CDC Changes to Isolation Guidelines
The BSU Wellness Center has adjusted protocols for managing positive cases and close contacts among the campus population to reflect the following changes in CDC guidance on isolation and quarantine:
- Persons who test positive for COVID-19 must now isolate for five days.
- Persons who are up-to-date with the booster shot (if eligible) and are exposed to a positive individual do no need to quarantine if they have no symptoms.
- Persons without a booster shot and are exposed to a positive individual must quarantine, even if they have no symptoms, and test after five days.
- Close contact is defined as someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period regardless of mask use.
Positive result of COVID tests conducted by the Wellness Center or reported through the Wellness Portal will automatically turn the individual’s COVID badge red restricting access to campus. The Wellness Center staff will conduct contact tracing to identify others who may have been a close contact and initiate any appropriate remedial cleaning. Students and employees should confirm that your personal contact information is up-to-date in university records.
The university will continue to evolve procedures and protocols for managing matters related to the pandemic on campus. The Coronavirus Information web section is currently being revised to reflect the most current information. Please continue to monitor your email and the website for the latest updates. If you have questions, you may also email covid19@bowiestate.edu. Questions about academic issues should be sent to covid19academics@bowiestate.edu. Questions about COVID tests / vaccine / badge should be sent to hwwc@bowiestate.edu