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January 14, 2022: COVID Mitigation to Begin Spring 2022

Message from Future Planning Group

January 14, 2022

Dear Campus Community,

As we launch the Spring 2022 semester, it’s time to confirm campus COVID mitigation plans. COVID protocols remain much the same as they were when we left for winter break. Lyon County Public Health has changed the length of isolation or quarantine depending on your individual circumstances.

Face masks

  • ESU continues to require facemasks be properly worn in all Emporia campus buildings.
  • Facemask use applies to everyone — all students, faculty, staff and visitors — regardless of vaccination status.

Remote Work

Some faculty and staff who need to isolate or quarantine may feel well enough to continue their job duties from home. Please work directly with your supervisor to make those arrangements. Remember, you are not required to work remotely when you are ill and can instead use your available sick leave.

Class Absences

These are handled the same as in the fall semester. Additional information will be sent to students and faculty as a reminder about the procedures for class absences because of COVID.

Isolation + Quarantine

Emporia State follows the guidance of Lyon County Public Health. The full policy is available on the Public Health website. Please refer to their website for more detailed information. Questions can be directed to the ESU Wellness Center, 620.341.5222.

One note: Lyon County Public Health is asking those who test positive for COVID to do their own contact tracing (notifying people with whom they have been in close contact). ESU Wellness (620.341.5222) can provide guidance on the timeline so you can determine who is a close contact to you. This means that you are likely to be told you are a close contact by a friend or colleague rather than a health professional.

The following guidance applies to most ESU faculty, staff and students who do not live in residence halls, fraternities or sororities. The exceptions are those who live and work in “congregate settings.” These include residence halls, fraternities, sororities, day cares and long-term care facilities and require a full 10 days of isolation or quarantine. Residential Life and Student Affairs will send separate information to students living in residence halls and sororities and fraternities.

Health care workers have different standards. Nursing and education students who are working in clinical settings or schools will receive information from their programs about additional protocols for them.

For all others who do not fall into special circumstances, this is the public health policy that ESU will follow:

When to isolate or quarantine

Anyone who tests positive for COVID, is waiting for test results or has symptoms and hasn’t tested. This includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Isolate at home for 5 full days

  • Consider the first date of symptoms or date of a positive test if asymptomatic as Day 0. Begin counting your days of isolation on Day 1.
  • Stay away from others who live with you.
  • If possible, claim a separate space for a “sick room.” This could be a bedroom with a private bath or moving into a basement with living space.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask whenever you are around others in your home.
  • Monitor your symptoms and seek emergency care, if needed.
  • Do not travel during this period.

After 5 days of isolation:

  • Evaluate your symptoms. If you still have symptoms or are not fever-free (24 hours without taking any medication to reduce fever), continue isolation.

Days 6 through 10:

Unless your isolation was continued because of remaining symptoms, you may now be out in public with these restrictions:

  • Wear a mask anytime around others, whether in your home or in public.
  • Do not participate in activities that cannot be done with a mask. This includes dining with others or in public and playing some sports.

Anyone who is vaccinated but has not had a booster OR is unvaccinated AND is told they are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID.

Quarantine at home for 5 full days

  • The date of exposure is Day 0. Begin counting your days of quarantine on Day 1.
  • Stay away from others who live with you.
  • If possible, claim a separate space for your quarantine. This could be a bedroom with a private bath or moving into a basement with living space.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask whenever you are around others in your home.
  • Monitor your symptoms for a full 10 days.

If you develop symptoms, get tested immediately and follow the isolation information above.

  • Do not travel during this period.

After 5 days of quarantine:

Get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID.

  • If the test is positive, follow the isolation information above.
  • If you test negative, you may leave your house.
  • If you cannot be tested at Day 5 and have not had any COVID symptoms during the five days, you may leave your house

Days 6 through 10

You may now be out in public with these restrictions:

  • Wear a mask anytime around others, whether in your home or in public.
  • Do not participate in activities that cannot be done with a mask. This includes dining with others or in public and playing some sports.
  • Continue to watch for symptoms

If you develop symptoms, move immediately into the isolation protocols above.

Anyone who is 18 years old or older who is fully vaccinated with boosters OR had a confirmed case of COVID in the last 90 days AND is told they are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID.

  • You don’t need to quarantine.
  • The date of exposure is Day 0. Begin counting your days on Day 1.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of the last close contact.

Monitor your symptoms.

  • If you develop symptoms, move into the isolation protocols above and get tested.

Get tested on at least Day 5 or later.

  • If you had a positive case of COVID within the previous 90 days and don’t show symptoms, you do not have to be tested.
  • If you test and it is positive, follow the isolation information above.

Days 6-10

  • Wear a mask anytime around others, whether in your home or in public.
  • Do not participate in activities that cannot be done with a mask. This includes dining with others or in public and playing some sports.
  • Continue to watch for symptoms.

If you develop symptoms, move immediately into the isolation protocols above.

We look forward the new semester, and greatly appreciate everything you did last semester to keep our campus operating with face-to-face classes and activities. By sticking to our safety protocols, we believe we will have another great semester. Stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Future Planning Group