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 June 11, 2021)
0 — positives isolating on-campus
0 — positives off-campus
0 — positives who have gone home
0 — Number out of isolation (students who have completed their required isolation)

* Employees (as of June 11, 2021)
1 — positives isolating off-campus
0 — 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 – Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Please refer to the COVID-19 dashboard at the top of our COVID-19 webpage for updated case numbers and helpful information. The numbers are 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.

Weekly COVID Updates to End for Summer
With the end of the Spring 2021 semester upon us, today, Wednesday, May 19, will be the final COVID-19 weekly report for the summer. We will send out updates to keep you informed of any new developments as we plan our in-person return in the Fall.

Study Abroad Program
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bloomsburg’s Study Abroad programs for both the Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 term have been formally suspended. For more information, please contact globaleducation@bloomu.edu For information on the Global Ed program visit: https://www.bloomu.edu/global-education

COVID Testing
Campus Testing:
Limited testing will be available for symptomatic students over the summer. Please call 570-389-4451 to make a telehealth appointment with our provider.

When the SHC is closed or on weekends:

COVID Vaccine
We strongly recommend that all students get the Covid vaccine prior to returning to campus. You can get your vaccinations locally at Weis Pharmacy, Rite aid, or Susquehanna Valley Med Specialties P.C. in Bloomsburg; and Weis Pharmacy and Geisinger Health System in Danville. For up-to-date information, go to https://www.pa.gov/guides/get-vaccinated/.

As you become vaccinated, please submit your vaccination dates and type (Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson) to the Student Health Center through fax at 570-389-3417 or call 570-389-4451 to submit the type of vaccine and dates you received it. Those students that are fully vaccinated (both doses plus 2 weeks for immune response to mount) will need to test but do not have to quarantine if exposed to someone who is positive for Covid-19 for surveillance. Getting everyone fully vaccinated will bring us closer to a normal academic summer and Fall!

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be tested if I have already had Covid?

If you have had Covid within the past 90 days, please contact Kristi Hammaker at as you will not need to test. For all others, yes, if you are exposed and not vaccinated and/or have symptoms, you will need to be tested for the Covid virus since there are many variants and it is possible to get Covid again.

Government COVID-19 Resources

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