Coronavirus Update

Bloomsburg University COVID-19 Dashboard

Aug. 2, 2021

As we near the start of the fall semester, our focus is on returning to a fully operational campus with face-to-face instruction. Considering the spread rate of the Delta variant, we are providing the following guidance for the campus community. Read more.

Dashboard Info

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.

 

Reporting Date Students* Employees*
Aug. 4 0 0
Aug. 2 0 0
July 0 0
June 1 2
Cumulative Total Since June 2, 2021 1 2

 

* Students (as of Aug. 4, 2021) 0 — positives isolating on-campus 0 — positives off-campus 0 — positives who have gone home 1 — Number out of isolation (students who have completed their required isolation)

* Employees (as of Aug. 4, 2021) 0 — positives isolating off-campus 2 — Number out of isolation (employees who have completed their required isolation)

 

Spring 2021 Students* Employees*
May 28 2
April 73 9
March 48 3
February 25 3
January 2 13
Cumulative Jan. 5 - May 31, 2021 176 30

   

Fall 2020 Students* Employees*
December 0 1
November 16 1
October 8 2
September 188 1
August 167 1
Cumulative Aug. 14 - Dec. 31, 2020 379 6

Archived COVID-19 Data

COVID-19 data from 2020-21 academic year

Spring 2021 Students* Employees*
May 28 2
April 73 9
March 48 3
February 25 3
January 2 13
Cumulative Jan. 5 - May 31, 2021 176 30
Fall 2020 Students* Employees*
December 0 1
November 16 1
October 8 2
September 188 1
August 167 1
Cumulative Aug. 14 - Dec. 31, 2020 379 6

Procedures for Positive Cases of COVID-19

Steps to take if testing positive for COVID-19

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.