January 3, 2022
Welcome to 2022!
I hope this note finds you well-rested and looking forward to a new and exciting year!
In welcoming you back, I’m sharing information for the spring semester with regard
to on-campus instruction and application of the recent Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention’s (CDC) updates on its COVID-19 recommended isolation and quarantine
periods.
Face-to-Face Class Instruction will Resume
The spring semester will continue with face-to-face classes as we did in the fall.
Through our mitigation strategies and each of us taking an individual responsibility
to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are able to reduce risk to the wellness of our
students, staff, and faculty while on campus.
Isolation and Quarantine Periods
On December 27, 2021, the CDC updated its recommended isolation and quarantine period. As we begin the spring semester, the Office of Institutional Health will implement
these new time periods for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and those who
have been exposed to COVID-19.
Under the TTUHSC SAFE guidance, those suspecting they have COVID-19 or had a known exposure to the virus are to
report such to the Office of Institutional Health through the online attestation form. After submitting a form, Institutional Health will provide guidance for testing
(if appropriate) and next steps, including self-isolation and quarantine requirements.
With the CDC update, Institutional Health will now implement the following:
- Testing positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status
- Individuals will be directed to stay off campus (quarantine) for five (5) days.
- After five (5) days, if they have no symptoms, they may return to campus; however,
they will be directed to wear a facial covering upon their return for five (5) additional
days. Otherwise, they will need to remain off campus for ten (10) days.
- After five (5) days, if they have no symptoms, they may return to campus; however,
they will be directed to wear a facial covering upon their return for five (5) additional
days. Otherwise, they will need to remain off campus for ten (10) days.
- Individuals will be directed to stay off campus (quarantine) for five (5) days.
- Exposure to someone infected with COVID-19
- Individuals with vaccine boosters or who are fully vaccinated (complete set of Pfizer
or Moderna vaccines within the last six (6) months, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
within the last two (2) months):
- May continue to be on campus after an exposure; however, they will need to wear a
facial covering for ten (10) days, beginning from the time of exposure with the COVID-19
infected individual. Otherwise, they will be required to quarantine off campus for
ten (10) days.
- May continue to be on campus after an exposure; however, they will need to wear a
facial covering for ten (10) days, beginning from the time of exposure with the COVID-19
infected individual. Otherwise, they will be required to quarantine off campus for
ten (10) days.
- Individuals with vaccine boosters or who are fully vaccinated (complete set of Pfizer
or Moderna vaccines within the last six (6) months, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
within the last two (2) months):
-
- Individuals who received their vaccines outside the timeframes noted above, are not
vaccinated, or who choose to not disclose vaccination status to the Office of Institutional
Health:
- Will be directed to stay off campus for five (5) days after an exposure, beginning from the time of exposure with the COVID-19 infected individual.
- After five (5) days, if they have no symptoms, they may return to campus; however,
they will be directed to wear a facial covering upon their return for five (5) additional
days. Otherwise, they will need to remain off campus for ten (10) days.
- Individuals who received their vaccines outside the timeframes noted above, are not
vaccinated, or who choose to not disclose vaccination status to the Office of Institutional
Health:
Team members will utilize sick and/or vacation leave through the entirety of any self-isolation
or quarantine period. Team members may work remotely during this time period if requested
and approved by their supervisor.
Students will need to coordinate with their program directors if required to self-isolate
or quarantine off campus to determine options to make up for any academic or clinical
coursework missed.
Protect Yourselves and Others
We strongly encourage you to do your part to help keep our campus communities safe
by adhering to the following recommendations:
Get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We continue to very strongly recommend vaccinations (with boosters
when appropriate) for infectious diseases, including the flu, to limit the potential
impact of these diseases in our classroom education, clinical rotations, work environment,
and our personal health.
Get tested if you suspect you have been exposed to or have COVID-19. The Texas Department of
State Health Services has developed a testing location finder to help identify testing sites statewide.
Wear a facial covering. We strongly recommend facial coverings be worn on our campuses in non-patient care
areas and require that they be worn in patient care areas, regardless of vaccination
status.
Do not come to campus if you are sick. Monitor your health daily. If you have fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19, report such to the Office of Institutional Health through the online attestation form.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Please reference the SAFE website for additional guidance. You will also find the COVID-19 attestation form there as well.
To help answer additional questions you may have regarding the university’s COVID-19
protocols and our academic plan for the spring semester, I plan to join the HSC Huddle
Thursday, January 6, at noon. Please plan to join and ask me questions you may have.
Thank you for your continued efforts to keep our TTUHSC community healthy and safe.
Together, I am confident we will navigate challenges as they arise, and together
we will create amazing solutions.
Kind regards,
Darrin D’Agostino, DO, MPH, MBA
PROVOST
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center