2023 - 24 COVID information
COVID-19 Information 2023-2024
With the beginning of the new academic year, questions regarding COVID-19 procedures on exposure, testing, and isolation are surfacing. As you may recall, throughout the 2022-23 school year, DU gradually moved healthcare decisions from the institution back to the individual while keeping a vigilant eye on new COVID-19 variants.
We continue to monitor COVID-19 variants and hospitalization rates within the DU community as well as on the local, national, and global scales. While new variants continue to arise, we are equipped with vaccinations, rapid testing, and analgesics which help to lessen the severity of symptoms.
However, the CDC continues to recommend isolation and masking when someone tests positive for COVID-19 and masking when someone has been exposed. Please continue to follow the guidelines below if you feel symptomatic, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to COVID-19. Click here for the CDC isolation & exposure calculator.
The best method to protect yourself and those around you from illness is to remain up to date on your vaccinations as recommended by the CDC, practice good hand hygiene, avoid others while sick, mask when appropriate, and practice self-care. The new COVID-19 booster shot will be released this fall and will be available at retail pharmacies and covered by insurance. Uninsured and underinsured people will be covered for the COVID-19 vaccine through the federal Bridge Access Program. DU recommends people follow the CDC vaccination guidelines linked above.
COVID-19 Testing
Although there will no longer be COVID-19 testing at the Care Pod, COVID-19 test kits are readily available through various retail outlets nationwide. Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 may make an appointment at the Health and Counseling Center (HCC); the costs of testing and treatment depends on the student’s insurance plan.
Beginning September 25, 2023, the the federal government is once again distributing free at home COVID-19 test kits. Every U.S. household is eligible to order four tests. The federal government is also sponsoring free testing at over 15,000 sites across the country and available to everyone, including the uninsured. Please click on the link below to order your four free COVID tests or to locate a free testing site near you.
Click here for free COVID test kits & Free COVID testing sites
If You Have Symptoms of COVID-19
If a student feels symptomatic, they may take an antigen test, if they have one, or make an appointment with HCC through myhealth.ngskmc-eis.net and a provider at the HCC will discuss testing and treatment options as well as associated costs.
If a faculty or staff member feels symptomatic, they should contact their own healthcare provider to determine which tests and treatment are appropriate and follow applicable procedures for absence from work due to illness.
If you are symptomatic and test negative for COVID-19, stay home until your symptoms subside.
If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, follow the isolation instructions below.
Isolation
All community members must stay home and isolate in your home/living space following the CDC isolation guidelines on when to end isolation. Click here to access the CDC Isolation and Exposure Calculator.
You are no longer required to report your positive COVID-19 tests to DU. However, employees must follow applicable procedures for absence from work due to illness.
If You've Been Exposed to COVID-19
Wear an N95 mask or another high-quality mask following the timelines and guidance in the CDC exposure calculator linked below. You do not need to quarantine or isolate, regardless of vaccination status.
Consult the CDC Isolation and Exposure Calculator for specific instructions.
If you begin to feel symptomatic, isolate immediately and test for COVID-19. If the COVID-19 test is positive, isolate as directed above.
Medical Coverage for International Travelers (New)
For international travelers, we launched a new and comprehensive medical insurance plan that covers most urgent and emergent medical issues for DU students, faculty and staff traveling internationally for DU business and/or academic-related programs. This will improve our travel record-keeping through an enhanced partnership with International SOS allowing DU to respond to emergencies and COVID-19 cases more efficiently.
Self-Care
We will continue our current approach to COVID-19, focusing on personal responsibility and providing the DU community with the resources to care for their health, including isolating per CDC guidelines, in addition to offering ongoing health and safety support for international travelers. The public health team will remain vigilant and monitor COVID-19 variants and developments while redirecting our focus to student, faculty, and staff well-being.
Contacts
Therese Mashak
Public Health Project Manager
303-871-2583
publichealth@ngskmc-eis.net
Health and Counseling Center
303-871-2205
24/7
HCCinfo@ngskmc-eis.net