COVID-19 update

Lafayette Community,

Welcome back to campus. I hope the first week of classes has been going smoothly. I’m sharing updates on a few key areas, and I hope you find the information useful and timely.

• Weekly testing: Routine weekly PCR testing is slated for Tuesdays and Wedn
  esdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the game room area (third floor) of Kirby Sports Center. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms should not try to schedule a PCR test. Students who are symptomatic should go to Bailey Health Center for rapid testing. Symptomatic employees should contact their physician or obtain a test locally at a pharmacy or testing site. If youhave not downloaded Aura, you should create an account now to avoid delays if testing is desired or required.
  • Students: Create Aura account
  • Faculty/staff: Create Aura account
• COVID-19 dashboard: The COVID-19 dashboard will be updated two times a week, reporting the total number of tests conducted on campus (Bailey Health Center and Genetworx testing site in Kirby Sports Center) and active cases identified through that process. (Self-reported results are excluded.) The dashboard will be updated on Friday and Tuesday throughout the spring semester. It is not healthy to dwell too much on case counts and test numbers. Our medical and COVID-19 teams continue to monitor the status of the campus. If we have data that points to actionable steps—different from those we have already shared—for which you should take to protect your health and the health of others, we will alert the campus community. 
• Booster deadline is approaching: The booster deadline of Feb. 1 for all students currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster is rapidly approaching. Students for whom we do not have updated booster information will receive an email from covid-19@lafayette.edu to detail what the next steps are. Ultimately, failure to get and upload a booster, or apply for and receive an exemption from the booster, will result in restrictions from attending classes until the process is complete. You can find booster availability and check booster eligibility based on the vaccine received. 
• KN95 masks: Students were encouraged to source KN95 masks before returning to campus. To assist students who have been unable to do so yet and are in need of a mask, we have a supply available in Feather House. Students can pick up two masks Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. KN95 masks can be used more than once but should be rotated between uses, should not be worn if they no longer fit snugly or the straps are damaged, and should be stored properly between uses. Please wear a mask indoors at all times and wear it properly (covering both your nose and mouth). 

We know you are looking forward to the spring, longer hours of daylight, and more opportunities to spend time together outside enjoying this beautiful campus we call home. We encourage you to engage with your peers and discover the wonderful opportunities to make or deepen friendships through our campus programming and the events available throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Annette Diorio
Vice President for Campus Life