Message From Western Kentucky University's Director EHS And Emergency Manager David Oliver - Coronavirus Guidance For Fall Semester 2021

Press release from Western Kentucky University:

June 15, 2021

• Lessens the likelihood of getting COVID-19 or from becoming seriously ill or dying
• Lessens the likelihood of spreading the COVID-19 virus to others
• Adds to the number of people in the community who are protected from getting COVID-19 which makes it harder for the disease to spread thus contributing to herd immunity
• Prevents the COVID-19 virus from spreading and replicating, which allows it to mutate and possibly become more resistant to vaccines
• Helps protect people around you, especially those at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19
• If fully vaccinated, eliminates the need to quarantine if identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
  • For the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, you are fully vaccinated two weeks after your second shot
  • For the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you are fully vaccinated two weeks after the single shot

• Receive their 2nd dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine no later than July 19, 2021, or
• Receive their single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine no later than July 19, 2021.

• For COVID-positive individuals:
  • The individual must isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or the date of the positive test (whichever is the earliest).
  • The individual may be released after the 10th day as long as they have had no fever or took fever-reducing medication (such as Tylenol) in the previous 24 hours and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.
  • For individuals identified as close contacts:
    • The individual must quarantine for 10 days and may be released from quarantine after the 10th day without being tested as long as they are asymptomatic, or
    • The individual may be released after the 7th day after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on the 5th day or later).
    • An individual who has fully recovered from COVID-19 within the last 90 days will be exempt from quarantine requirements.
      • A copy of the release from isolation provided by the Health Dept. or healthcare provider will be required. This is a voluntary requirement; however, failure to do so will result in the individual being directed to quarantine.
• An individual who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be exempt from quarantine requirements.
  • A copy of the individual’s COVID-19 vaccination record will be required. This is a voluntary requirement; however, failure to do so will result in the individual being directed to quarantine.
  • Individuals testing positive for COVID-19 and those identified as being close contacts to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 must contact the WKU COVID Helpline at 270-745-2019 within four (4) hours of being notified of the test result or contact trace.
  • Students residing in on-campus housing who receive a COVID-positive test result and those identified as close contacts to a COVID-positive case will be required to move into isolation/quarantine as soon as directed by Athletics or an EH&S COVID Team member.
  • The WKU isolation/quarantine policy may be modified as additional guidance is released by the CDC and/or state/local public health officials.

• Be a resident of WKU's residential buildings during the current term.
• Have a permanent home address three or more hours of travel from WKU's Bowling Green campus.
• Be too ill for immediate travel with a medical recommendation stating they do not require hospitalization and may isolate/quarantine until able to return to their permanent address.
• Be an international student with a permanent home address outside the U.S.
• Be an independent student, as defined by federal financial aid and WKU, where WKU is their residence of record.

This press release was produced by Western Kentucky University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.