Here’s what you need to know for the week of April 11:
- Use the CC COVID-19 dashboard to inform your masking choices
- Vaccinated students test once this week
- Stay up to date on COVID vaccinations
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Students: Test Once this Week
Screening testing helps to prevent large outbreaks by breaking chains of infection. Based on test results from weeks 1 and 2 of this block, frequency of testing has been adjusted for fully vaccinated students. All fully vaccinated students should test once in week 3 of Block 7. Students who are not fully vaccinated continue testing twice weekly. Fully vaccinated students will receive an email notification on Wednesday and should take a COVID test with eMed between Wednesday and Friday. It is important to take your test through eMed because eMed handles the required reporting of test results to the health department. Based on these test results, frequency of screening testing will be further adjusted as needed.
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Adjusting Protocols Based on Testing
During the Block 6 COVID spike, we implemented a temporary policy change, allowing professors to require masks in the classroom. Now that case numbers are back down, we anticipate we will return to our campus-wide mask-optional policy at the start of Block 8. At that time, all may choose to wear a mask at any time, for any reason. Masks remain an important and effective public health tool. KN95/N95-type masks are the most protective.
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Make Sure You’re Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccination
For the highest level of protection against COVID-19, anyone aged 12+ should get a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Use this calculator to determine your need for follow up doses.
Schedule your third dose if you are:
- 12 or older and received your second dose of Pfizer at least five months ago.
- 18 or older and received your second dose of Moderna at least five months ago.
If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you should get a second dose of either Pfizer or Moderna two months or more after you first got vaccinated. Third doses will help keep up your immunity and give you the highest level of protection. Third doses are free and available at any COVID-19 vaccine provider in the state. No insurance, ID, or proof of medical history is required to get a third dose. You can find a provider near you by visiting our vaccine finder page. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit these resources:
If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccinations, we encourage you to speak with a health care provider.
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Post-COVID/Long-COVID Conditions
Most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, however some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. CDC and experts around the world are working to learn more about short- and long-term health effects associated with COVID-19, who gets them, and why. Here’s the latest information from the CDC. According to CDC, “The best way to prevent post-COVID conditions is to prevent COVID-19 illness,” including first as well as re-infections. Additionally, long COVID can be a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if it substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Students, if you’re experiencing persistent symptoms due to COVID-19, contact the Office of Accessibility Resources to explore supports so you can participate fully in college life.
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What to Do If You Have COVID Symptoms
Students, if you’re feeling sick, stay home and contact the Student Health Center at (719) 389-6384 to make an appointment. Employees should contact their healthcare provider and their supervisor.
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Join EPA’s “Clean Air in Buildings Challenge”
The “Clean Air In Buildings Challenge” is underway. Because COVID-19 is an airborne disease, cleaner air indoors helps prevent spread. The challenge includes recommendations for improving indoor air quality, including ventilation, filtration, portable filters, and the use of CO2 sensors. You can check out the recording of this month’s launch event here and the transcript is available here. Learn more about indoor air and COVID-19. Faculty and staff may request a Corsi-Rosenthal box air filter for classrooms and gathering spaces by filling in this form.
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Check the Updated CC COVID Data Dashboard
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Masks remain an important tool for mitigation, and we encourage you to wear a mask indoors when case numbers are high and you are more likely to encounter the virus. Check the CC dashboard to find out about local conditions and county COVID community levels to inform your masking choices. It provides quick access to COVID-19 metrics on campus, including daily and weekly COVID-19 testing numbers and positive test results. For questions regarding this dashboard, please contact Ben Moffitt in the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness.
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Tests Available for Employees
Faculty and staff are encouraged to continue with screening testing and may obtain up to two tests from the Worner Desk each week, while supplies last. To help keep track of inventory, please fill out this test kit request form. All positive test results must be self-reported via Qualtrics.
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To easily access all things COVID, details of our COVID-19 response are broken down into
categories here: Health; Mitigation and Campus Protocols; Testing and Quarantine; and When Off Campus. You’ll also find answers to frequently asked questions, as well as a listing of all campus messages. If you have additional concerns about COVID-19 or our campus response direct them to: covid19@coloradocollege.edu.
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14 E. Cache La Poudre St. | Colorado Springs, CO 80903 US
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