COVID-19 Update: January 7
Team,

On Monday, we will welcome our students back to campus and another semester impacted by COVID-19. Each of us enters this new semester affected by the events of the last couple of years, and each of our situations are unique. However, we all have one thing in common as we start classes next week. We are at Idaho State University because we know the value of education.

As we approach this spring semester, there are many questions about the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Our University Health Committee has been meeting regularly to track the spread in our local communities and provide health and safety recommendations. Your continued patience, understanding, and willingness to follow our health guidelines is always appreciated. The emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccinations––especially boosters––to protect against COVID-19. Please get fully vaccinated if you are able.
SITUATIONAL UPDATE
Last week, our University saw an overall increase in the number of on-campus positive cases. The slight increase is a result of the highly contagious Omicron variant in our community. Please closely review the updates and guidance outlined below for the spring semester.

  • Idaho State will remain at Level White on all campuses through at least Friday, January 14.

  • Bengal Pharmacy will continue to offer initial and booster vaccinations. You can receive your vaccination at Bengal Pharmacy and the Pond Student Union building. Vaccination site locations and hours may be adjusted as required throughout the semester. Please visit the Roaring Back Vaccination webpage for more information. 

  • Face coverings are still required indoors and at outdoor events where physical distance cannot be maintained. Clear masks are available at Disability Services for faculty and staff who may need one. To more effectively reduce COVID-19 transmission, disposable mask supplies are readily available for order from Bengal Depot. The University also has a limited supply of KN95 masks available from Bengal Depot with a large supply expected to be received soon.

  • As we also start a new semester, I want to remind all students, faculty, and staff to use the Self-Report Form if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if they are experiencing COVID-like symptoms. Contact tracing remains an incredibly important tool, helping to keep our campuses safe. The ISU contact tracing team will provide guidance based on recently updated CDC quarantine and isolation guidelines.

  • Employees should not come to campus if ill or if in quarantine. Instead, employees should complete the Self-Report Form, and communicate with their supervisor about their availability for telework, or utilize other leave of absence options

  • Like last semester, Faculty are encouraged to continue to provide students opportunities to make up any missed work due to COVID-related absences. Students who are ill or have been exposed to COVID-19 and awaiting their test results should not attend class in person, without fear of any negative impact on their grade. Class recordings and distance-based learning options, where feasible, will be made available.

  • The University will continue operating our on-campus screening locations this semester. Self-service kits are available to be picked up at all campus locations. The Pocatello screening location will be staffed beginning January 10 for drop-in testing and to support the University’s contact tracing program. 

  • The State of Idaho extended the employee vaccination incentive leave program, and it is now available for employees who completed a COVID-19 vaccination through December 31, 2021. The four hours of leave are eligible for use through January 31, 2022. 

  • International travel requirements have been updated. As of December 6, a negative COVID-19 test, taken no more than one day before travel, is required for all air passengers (regardless of vaccination status) who are traveling to the United States. I encourage all campus community members to follow the latest CDC recommendations and, if needed, call the ISU COVID Hotline at (208) 282-2705 to discuss their specific travel situation.


  • Facilities Services is in the process of adding updated mask signage to all of our building entrances.
The University will continue to update COVID-19 case numbers each week this semester. Case numbers are reported based on the day the test result is obtained or known to the University, and the overall case count is added to our online dashboard on Wednesday evenings. 

––Kevin

Kevin Satterlee
President
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