Weekly COVID-19 Update: February 4

Team, Overall, COVID-19 conditions are starting to improve across our campus locations. Health experts feel that we may be reaching our peak with the Omicron wave, but we will know more as we watch trends in the coming weeks. At this time, we remain hopeful, especially after seeing a decrease in on-campus positive cases this week. Please know that we realize the current outbreak remains serious and we continue to monitor and evaluate the case reports. I appreciate the flexibility and commitment you have all shown to keep our students learning. Temporary modifications, where necessary, have helped to support continued operations and learning for our students across our campuses. Please continue to allow flexibility in our offices and classrooms and work with your leadership to make temporary changes as needed.

I also need to correct information that was shared last week. If you are ill or test positive for COVID-19, do not come to work or attend classes. The University Health Team developed Isolation and Quarantine Guidance to assist all of us in knowing what actions to take in various situations. If you are exposed to COVID-19 and up to date on your vaccinations, you do not need to quarantine unless you are ill or begin to experience symptoms (even mild) of COVID-19. Please continue to wear a well-fitting mask and test on day five after exposure if possible.   With continued operational flexibility in mind, Idaho State will remain at Level White on all campuses through at least Friday, February 11.

Operational Updates and Reminders

This week's total case count decreased from last week's record high numbers. Bannock, Bonneville, and Ada counties are experiencing high rates of community transmission, and hospital capacity is very limited. Our University’s contact tracers continue to provide communication and instruction to all impacted individuals, and everyone who submits a Self-Report Form will receive an email the same day letting them know next steps. Please continue to submit self-report forms and encourage others to use this powerful tool.

Face coverings are required indoors at all campus locations. The University has acquired a supply of KN95 masks for our campus community. KN95 masks are more effective than cloth or disposable masks, but wearing a well-fitting mask of any kind helps stop the spread of the virus. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests free of charge. If enrolled in our State of Idaho health insurance plan, employees can also be reimbursed for up to eight self-purchased rapid antigen tests per month. Idaho State will also continue to operate the on-campus screening program. Drop-in testing and self-service kits are available at all campus locations. The current turnaround time for our campus screening sites is 24-48 hours. Bengal Pharmacy has vaccinations and boosters readily available. Please visit the Roaring Back Vaccination webpage for more information.

Thank you for all you have done, and continue to do to keep our students and Bengal community healthy. ––Kevin Kevin Satterlee President

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

This communication was sent to Idaho State University faculty and staff. Send comments, feedback, and questions to communications@isu.edu.

View this email as a web page.