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CHANGING COVID GUIDELINES AND IMPORTANT REMINDERS

SUBJECT(S): Changing COVID Guidelines and Important Reminders

DATE:  01/07/2022

AUDIENCE: West Campus, HSC, and SOM non-clinical State and RF employees


 

 

Changing COVID Guidelines and Important Reminders

What You Need to Know, and Do, Now

A message for West Campus, HSC, and SOM non-clinical State and RF employees

We hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. We want to take this opportunity to provide you with the most current guidance around COVID-19 to help address concerns, answer any questions, and allow us all to take the steps necessary to help keep our campus environment as safe as possible this semester and beyond.

We will continue to inform you of any changes as they occur. In the meantime, thank you, in advance, for your continued partnership and support to help us all stay healthy and safe.

DO’S AND DON’TS IF YOU EXPERIENCE COVID-LIKE SYMPTOMS

With positive COVID cases on the rise, here are the important things to know and do if you experience COVID-like symptoms:

DO:

  • Attain a COVID-19 test in your community (not on campus, see ‘Dont’s’ below).

  • Remain home from work and do not come to campus for business-related matters.

  • Wear a mask if you are around others at home. 

  • Seek care from your healthcare provider if you feel you need to. 

  • Notify the Health Information Line (HIL) only if you test positive.

 

DON’T:

  • As a reminder, if you are not feeling well, do not attempt to obtain a COVID test at our surveillance test sites, such as the SAC or HSC Galleria.

    • On-campus pooled testing sites are designed strictly for people with no symptoms (‘asymptomatic’ individuals).

    • Being on campus, and testing when you have symptoms, not only jeopardizes the health of others, it delays our ability to detect and report positive cases among people who have no COVID symptoms.

  • Also do not use the test site to verify a positive home rapid test result.

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU TEST POSITIVE

  • If you test positive through a community test site or a home rapid test, please notify the HIL at (631) 632-5000, option 1, regardless of whether you have symptoms:

    • Leave a clear message with your name, telephone number and ID number, and your call will be returned as promptly as possible.

    • While waiting for a call back, follow the guidance above under ‘Do’s and Don’ts …’ and stay home.

  • Please note that HIL calls will be returned in this order:

    • Individuals who test positive at an on-campus surveillance testing site will be contacted first.

    • Then we contact those who notified us of testing positive through either a community test site or a home test. (We do need to know about home test positive results as the NYSDOH has determined that these test results are valid).

  • The HIL will provide guidance on how to identify those exposed and when you can return to work.

  • Whether you were vaccinated or unvaccinated or have symptoms or not, you will be required, per the most recent CDC and NYSDOH guidance, to remain  home/isolate for five days (shortened from the original 10 days by the CDC on December 27).

    • If you have few or no symptoms after five days and are fever-free, you can leave your house and return to work. You will not need to present a negative test result, but will be required to wear a mask around others at all times for five more days.

 

RETURNING TO WORK AFTER TESTING POSITIVE

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19 (QUARANTINE)

 

Here is the latest guidance, per recent CDC protocols:

If you have been boosted, or completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last six months, or completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last two months:

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days.

  • Test on day five, if possible.

If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.

 

If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than six months ago and are not boosted, or completed the primary series of J&J vaccine more than two months ago and are not boosted, or are unvaccinated:

  • Stay home for five days, then continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.

  • If you can’t quarantine, you must wear a mask for 10 days.

  • Test on day five, if possible.

If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.

 

BOOSTER SHOTS: WHERE AND WHY TO GET THEM/HOW TO SUBMIT PROOF
We strongly encourage you to get your shots to help stop the spread of COVID and lessen the severity of symptoms. We also strongly encourage faculty and staff who are already vaccinated to get a booster shot as soon as possible. Per CDC guidelines, you are eligible to get your COVID vaccine booster if you received:

 

  • A second dose of Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago.

  • One dose of J&J at least two months ago.

 

To Find a COVID Vaccination Site Near You …

… visit vaccines.gov. In New York State, you can get your booster at various state-run COVID vaccine sites. You can also get a booster at your local pharmacy. Appointments may be required, so check with your pharmacy for details. 

 

Submitting Proof of Your Booster

Having an accurate record of the vaccination status of faculty and staff is important to help keep us all as safe as possible, and demonstrate our commitment to health and wellness to the larger community and New York State. If you have not already done so, please help us by submitting proof of your vaccination and booster. You can either:

  • Fax a copy of your vaccine card to HR at (631) 632-6621

OR

  • Bring a copy of your vaccine card, in-person, to HR, Administration Building, Room 390, Monday-Friday, 9 am - 4 pm

 

REGULAR TESTING REMAINS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US!
Surveillance testing continues to be an important tool to help keep our faculty and staff safe. We are grateful that we can provide this service and want to ensure that we are using our resources wisely.

As mentioned earlier, it’s important for the safety of others and the ability to continue to serve that you do not come to the test center if you know you have tested positive or are sick.

And, as a reminder:

If you are asymptomatic and have had high-risk exposure (many hours with someone in close quarters who has tested positive, household member contact, etc.), you can be tested as often as every other day.

Find a test site in New York State near you here. Also note that Stony Brook University will be one of the locations for 10 new community, State-run testing sites across New York State. Stay tuned for details about this site, due to open January 11.

 

HELP IN STRESSFUL TIMES
Please remember that there are SBU resources you can turn to for help coping during stressful times, such as Healthier U and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). See new Healthier U program offerings below and, if you need to talk, please reach out to SBU’s full-time EAP Lead Coordinator at (631) 632-6085.