Fall 2022 COVID Protocols

• The optional wearing of masks will continue for the fall semester, subject to community health directives.
• Student Health Services will continue to require masks upon entering its building.
• We ask you to respect those who choose to continue to wear a mask.

• COVID vaccines and booster shots are no longer required of students, faculty or staff moving forward, but are strongly encouraged.
• Two COVID vaccination clinics are scheduled: September 23rd and October 21st from 1 pm – 6 pm in the Student Center, Room 219.
• The vaccines currently approved for use by the FDA remain the safest, most effective means of protecting yourself from serious illness and hospitalization.

• A pre-arrival test is not required but encouraged before returning for the fall semester.
• If you test positive, please contact the COVID Care Coordinator, Sandra Rose Zak at rosezaks@easternct.edu and do not move in until further notice. You will need to send the COVID Care Coordinator a picture of your positive test, date the test was taken and your student ID placed within the photo.
• There will be no weekly surveillance testing. COVID testing for those who are not feeling well is available through Student Health Services. Free rapid tests are available for self-testing as supply allows.
• Antigen Covid tests are available for pick-up at the Student Center Information Desk and all Residence Halls while supplies lasts.

• Residential students who test positive will be expected to isolate at home or off-campus.
• Exemptions to isolating on campus may be granted for those with extenuating circumstances.
• Any student who isolates on campus will be responsible for their own food and is required to wear a mask

Monkeypox is a virus that is similar to smallpox, but Monkeypox symptoms are milder. Monkeypox can be spread to anyone through direct contact.

Symptoms:

• Rash
• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion
• Muscle aches and backache
• Headache
• Respiratory symptoms (sore throat, nasal congestion, cough)

Monkeypox 101

Monkeypox symptoms typically start within 3 weeks of exposure. If you have flu-like symptoms, a rash may develop 1-4 days later. Monkeypox typically lasts 2-4 weeks or until a new layer of skin has formed over the rash.

A close contact is anyone, since the start of your monkeypox symptoms that you:

• Have had sex with; this includes oral, anal, and vaginal sex.
• Have hugged, cuddled, or kissed.
• Shared cups, utensils, towels, clothing, bedding, blankets, or other objects and materials with.
• Have touched or who came in contact with the rash on your body.

Asymptomatic contacts may continue their routine daily activities. However, if you start developing symptoms, you should immediately self-isolate and contact Health Services at (860) 465-5263 for an appointment.

Call Student Health Services at (860) 465-5263 for an appointment.

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like Monkeypox.
• Avoid contact with objects and materials that someone with Monkeypox has used (i.e. cups, bedding, towels, clothing, utensils, etc.).

To find up-to-date information on the Monkeypox vaccination, including where to obtain the vaccine in Connecticut, please go to: Monkeypox Vaccination (ct.gov)

• CDC- Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC
• Monkeypox 101 DPH-MonkeyPox-101_Eng_July-2022.pdf (ct.gov)
• Monkeypox Vaccinations Monkeypox Vaccination (ct.gov)
• CT Department of Public Health CT Monkeypox
• 2022 Outbreak Cases & Date 2022 Outbreak Cases & Data | Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC