Coronavirus Update

Bloomsburg University COVID-19 Dashboard

Due to the global pandemic, it should be assumed the potential for COVID-19 exposure is everywhere. While there is public interest in knowing about positive cases, Bloomsburg University is obligated to protect the privacy of anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 cases included in this dashboard include positive, laboratory-verified test results reported to the Bloomsburg University Student Health Center or Office of Workplace Safety. Due to multiple testing sources with varying resulting timeframes, numbers are updated only when verified test results are received. The dashboard is updated on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. This is the most current information available to us.

* Students (as of Sept. 28, 2020)
2 — positives isolating on-campus
4 — positives off-campus
0 — positives who have gone home
349 — Number out of isolation (students who have completed their required isolation)

* Employees (as of Sept. 28, 2020)
2 — Number out of isolation (employees who have completed their required isolation)

Procedures for Positive Cases of COVID-19

Bloomsburg University’s Student Health Center or Office of Workplace Safety will generally become aware of a positive case in one of four ways:

• Notification from the Columbia County Department of Health
• Notification from the PA Department of Health if the person is tested in another county within Pennsylvania
• Notification from the test site or vendor if the test was ordered through the Student Health Center
• Notification from the individual self-reporting

What happens to the individual who tests positive?

The individual will be required to isolate in accordance with County and PA Department of Health and CDC guidelines.

Students On-Campus

Students residing on-campus at Bloomsburg University who test positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to make the best choice for their personal health care to either go to their home of record for the duration of their quarantine or recovery or stay on campus. A limited number of isolated rooms are available on campus for the duration of a specified quarantine period. Residence Life conducts in-person checks twice daily, meals are delivered, and the Student Health Center and/or campus health personnel conduct a daily check-in to support the student’s health and welfare.

Students Off-Campus

If the student is living off-campus, they're encouraged to go to their home of record for the duration of their quarantine or recovery, or the student will isolate at their place of residence, in accordance with County and PA Department of Health and CDC guidelines. Dining Services will accept someone coming to the Scranton Commons or Monty's to pick up food for an off-campus quarantined student. The meal ID of the quarantined student must be presented so a member of the Scranton Commons staff can swipe it. Students can see the full menu on the dining services Instagram stories.

If students do not have a meal plan, they should also arrange for sustainment support such as food delivery, or they may choose to go to their home of record. Student Health Center and campus health personnel conduct a daily check-in to support the student’s health and welfare.

Employees

If the individual is a faculty or staff member, they will isolate at home or another location following their local or state health department and CDC guidelines.

What should I do if I think I was exposed to COVID?

Review the CDC guidance for people exposed to individuals with known or suspected COVID-19 or possible COVID-19. In addition, there is a CDC glossary of terms with definitions for: close contact, exposure, isolation, and quarantine.

Communication Protocol

In the interest of transparency, we are guided by the following:

• The COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with numbers of confirmed positive cases.
• To protect the confidentiality and privacy of affected individuals, Bloomsburg University will not disclose any personally identifiable information.
• The University will not send an email message to the campus community or notify the media every time there is a positive case confirmed.

COVID-19 Update – Sept. 28, 2020

Please refer to the COVID-19 dashboard at the top of this page for updated case numbers and helpful information. Information is updated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and is based on laboratory-verified test results reported to the Bloomsburg University Student Health Center or Office of Workplace Safety.

Academic, Student Success & Student Life Updates

(NEW) Free Flu Shots
Free flu shots will be available for students on Thursday, Oct. 1, in the Husky Lounge of the Kehr Union Building. Call the Health Center office at 570-389-4451 to make an appointment. When coming for your flu shot be sure to wear a mask, wear short sleeves, and bring your BU ID.

Study Abroad Programs Remain Suspended
All outgoing and incoming study abroad exchange programs are suspended for the spring and summer semesters of 2021, including all faculty-led BU trips.

Parent/Supporter Connection Email Signup
Parents can sign up for the Parent/Supporter Connection to receive important information from the Office of Student Life as well as general information e-mail notices that are sent to all university students from the bursar's office. Sign up here: https://intranet.bloomu.edu/finance_busoffice/parent

Computer Lab Open at Greenly Center
Students will now have access to the computer lab in room 213 of the Greenly Center, 50 East Main Street, Bloomsburg. The computer lab will be open to students Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students can print from home using webprint and then release the job for printing from the lab with their student ID.

Andruss Library
Andruss Library is open only to BU students, faculty, and staff. (BU ID is REQUIRED for admittance to the library.) Books may be requested for express book pick up, and home delivery and digital copies of articles/chapters are available. Research assistance is available and students can reserve study rooms. Visit: http://guides.library.bloomu.edu/HarveyAndrussLibrary/Home for details.

Updated Shuttle Bus Schedule
An updated bus schedule is now in effect. The complete schedule can be found here. If you have questions about parking on-campus, please contact BUPD at 570-389-4168.

University Store Closed
Course materials and merchandise may continue to be ordered on its website at bloomustore.com and picked up outside by choosing “Curbside Pickup” when you checkout. Outside pickup is available during the following hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 570-389-4175 with other questions.

Government COVID-19 Resources

• PASSHE Coronavirus Information
• CDC
• PA Department of Health
• World Health Organization
• Governor Tom Wolf