College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on Aug. 13 about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
This Week’s Updates:
Testing Unvaccinated Students and Employees
Beginning in September, Penn State College of Medicine will start weekly testing of unvaccinated students, staff and faculty. MD and PA students who have not provided vaccination documentation are to follow already-provided instructions on weekly required COVID-19 testing.
We continue to encourage those who are not vaccinated to consider getting their vaccine.
Vaccination is extremely effective at preventing serious illness and extremely safe, with full approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expected in September. In a recent Penn State News article, Drs. Leslie Parent and Catharine Paules explain that the results of rigorously conducted clinical trials and comprehensive safety monitoring after widespread vaccine uptake among the public suggests there is little to fear, and they strongly encourage those who are on the fence to get vaccinated.
Those who have questions about the vaccines should consult their health care provider. Visit vaccinatepa.org to find a vaccination location near you.
Cases of COVID-19 on the Rise: Increased Prevalence of Delta Variant
Reminder: Please continue to be vigilant. Vaccination is the best way to prevent COVID-19 illness. Everyone should continue masking, physical distancing and frequent hand washing on campus. The inpatient cases of COVID-19 at Penn State Health have increased significantly this week, and the Delta variant makes up over 80% of the SARS-CoV-2 sequences detected in our clinical lab. The Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends masking for everyone in indoor settings.
International Travel for Employees
As recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and institutions differ for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, all international travelers, regardless of whether the travel is university-affiliated or personal, are required to contact Occupational Medicine at University Park (814-863-8492) prior to leaving the U.S. and immediately upon their return to the U.S. for guidance on returning to work.
Occupational Medicine will provide the traveler with specific recommendations for quarantine and COVID-19 testing based on their vaccine status and the country visited. Employees are NOT permitted back on campus until cleared by Occupational Medicine.
In addition, all employees are reminded that those wishing to travel internationally must register their University-affiliated travel with the Travel Safety Network (TSN) at least 30 days prior to the start of travel and obtain prior approval from Dr. Kevin Black. International travel supported by general funds are unlikely to be approved. Complete details can be found in the Interim Employee Travel, Quarantine and Isolation policy.
International Travel for Students
University-affiliated international travel, regardless of funding source, requires an employee’s full vaccination against COVID-19 by date of departure and prior approval by their respective vice or associate dean. In addition, students must record their trip with the TSN at least 30 days prior to the start. All students must notify Student Health (717-531-5998) prior to their international travel and upon return to the U.S. for guidance on the necessity for COVID-19 testing and/or quarantine. After international travel, students are not permitted back on campus until official clearance is given by Student Health. Students who are unvaccinated or fail to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status are not permitted to participate in University-affiliated international travel.
Personal international travel for students is strongly discouraged; however, Student Health must be notified (717-531-5998) prior to the student’s international travel and upon return to the U.S. for guidance on the necessity for COVID-19 testing and/or quarantine. Personal travel does not have to be submitted to the TSN. For personal travel, the Global Safety Office recommends the traveler enroll in the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program through the U.S. Department of State, which will provide timely messaging direct to their email for any country alerts that may impact their travel. International students traveling internationally should consult with the Directorate of International Student & Scholar Advising for more information. Students who are unvaccinated or fail to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status must quarantine for nine days upon their return.
Students are reminded these guidelines are for our students to leave the U.S. Foreign governments may impose others restrictions that may deny entry or access to travel with a foreign country and/or prevent return to the U.S. All students wishing to travel should first review the list of restricted countries, which includes countries restricted for security and regulatory reasons and countries with high COVID-19 risks.
Town Hall
Plans are underway to hold a town hall for College of Medicine faculty, staff and students in early September. More details to come.