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 Nov. 25, 2020)
0 — positives isolating on-campus
1 — positives off-campus
1 — positives who have gone home
377 — Number out of isolation (students who have completed their required isolation)

* Employees (as of Nov. 25, 2020)
0 — positives isolating off-campus
5 — Number out of isolation employees who have completed their required isolation)

BU's Office of the Dean of Students is committed to partnering with all Huskies to "protect the pack" and to being good neighbors within the Town of Bloomsburg. Accordingly, the Office of the Dean of Students takes very seriously any alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct that impacts the health and wellness of both the BU community and all town residents. We have aggressively addressed issues of health and safety in the residence halls and in the Town of Bloomsburg.

As of Nov. 25, 2020
Students who have lost housing privileges: 7
Students who are presently on interim suspension: 1
Student organizations that are presently on interim suspension: 3
Students that are presently suspended: 2
Student organizations that are presently suspended: 1

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 Weekly Update – Wednesday, Nov. 25, 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.

With the end of the Fall 2020 semester, Wednesday, Nov. 25, will be the final COVID-19 weekly report, but we will continue to keep you informed of any new developments.

We remind all students that with the recent rise in COVID-19 cases both locally and state-wide, everyone needs to continue to wear a mask, observe social distancing, and practice good hygiene.

Government COVID-19 Resources

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