College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on Oct. 9 about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
New updates this week
- Moving to next phase of capacity on Monday
- Return-to-Work Authorization form required if on campus
- Voluntary Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Available for Faculty and Staff
- Shadowing Resuming for MD and PA Students
- College of Medicine COVID-19 Dashboard
- In Case You Missed It Recap
Dean announcement: Moving to the next phase of capacity on Monday
On Wednesday, Dr. Kevin Black, interim dean, sent a memo indicating that the College will transition from phase 3 (50% capacity) to phase 4 (80% capacity) on Monday, Oct. 12. What does this mean for you?
Research Teams
For research teams, labs can slightly increase the number of researchers who can be in the lab simultaneously. However, for other labs, because of their size and the current number of researchers in that lab, no increase will be possible until we move to the next phase. Regardless of your specific laboratory situation, we need your help in reinforcing physical distancing requirements in lab – 150 square feet per person is still the gold standard for those who will be in the lab at the same time. The same spacing requirements also remain in effect for classrooms and conference rooms. If you need to work within 6 feet of another person, please use eye protection (either of a face shield or goggles) and minimize the time to less than 10 minutes. Thanks again for all of your help in maintaining a safe working environment in our research areas.
Animal research: During phase 4 researchers are no longer required to seek prior approval for animal orders through Comparative Medicine. However, we do ask that you contact Dr. Wilson before placing large orders to ensure that the animals can be accommodated in the vivarium.
Human subjects research: The Clinical Research Center at the College of Medicine as well as the Exercise Research Center located at the Hershey Center for Applied Research and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance facility will continue to appropriately limit capacity to ensure cleaning protocols can be performed, and adequate social distancing within the study rooms and public areas such as hallways and work stations is maintained.
Scheduling: As noted previously, all PIs should complete a schedule of research activities at their respective labs for the upcoming week. Submit your schedule to your department chair, vice chair for research or their designee. Schedules can then be uploaded to the respective departmental folder within the Box folder at med.psu.edu/covid-lab-reports and posted on the lab door.
Remote Workers
For others in the College, any person who can work remotely should continue to do so, even in phase 4. We thank you for all the work you are all doing remotely and doing it so well. We recognize that this is a new way of working, and you have all taken the challenge head-on. Please take care of yourselves to protect your health and well-being by utilizing some resources here.
Return-to-Work Authorization Form
If you are among the faculty and staff who will be returning to work in this next phase, your supervisor will need to fill out the University Return-to-Work Authorization form, which can be found here. This process requires the supervisor to describe the work to be done and safety measures that are in place, overseen by University Human Resources and integral to the College of Medicine’s participation in the University’s COVID-19 surveillance testing program.
Each request will be signed by Dr. Black. The form only needs to be submitted once when an employee is ready to return to campus for the first time. Employees who only need to stop by their campus office a few times a week or month for a short visit should still fill out the Return-to-Work Authorization form to help with contact tracing efforts.
Voluntary Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Available for Faculty and Staff
During the month of October, asymptomatic testing will be available to any faculty and staff (not students) who are working on campus and wish to be tested. Testing will only be available to employees who are listed in the University’s Return to Work database, which can be done by filling out the Return-to-Work Authorization form mentioned above. Eligible employees can request up to two voluntary tests for themselves during the month of October. Employees who wish to participate in the voluntary testing program may do so by using the following link.
Shadowing Resumes for MD and PA Students
Communication was sent to medical and physician assistant students this week from Dr. Terry Wolpaw regarding the shadowing opportunities available. As of this week, some departments are allowing shadowing again in their clinical departments by request. Shadowing in select departments will begin Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Nov. 20, and resume in January.
COVID-19 Cases on Campus
The table below summarizes the number of COVID-19 cases among our College of Medicine faculty, staff and students for this past week.
College of Medicine Statistics
Week of Oct. 5-9
- Current employees/students represents the number who have shown symptoms this week.
- Total employees/students represents the number who have been quarantined or tested positive for COVID-19 since March 2020 (for employees) or July 2020 (for students)
In case you missed it
Some highlights from last week:
- Strategic plan town hall held Oct. 1
- New Process for Reporting COVID-19 Symptoms for Students
- Flu shot information and upcoming flu shot drive-through clinics
- Campus ramp-up phases
Please visit the College’s dedicated coronavirus website for updates and highlights from previous weeks.