COVID-19 Testing Protocol for Spring 2022

Jan 3, 2022 10:00 AM

Frostburg State University will use testing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Institutions of Higher Education to inform our practice. Along with vaccinations, testing continues to be an important strategy to mitigate risks to the university community, local region, and State of Maryland. Consistent with these strategies, FSU will employ the following protocol.

Testing Protocol for Universal Entry Screening Testing

Universal Entry Screening Testing

All constituents (students, faculty, staff, and affiliates), regardless of vaccination status, are REQUIRED to participate in universal entry screening testing upon returning to FSU beginning on Monday, January 3, 2022, or whatever day you return to campus, up to and including Monday, January 24, 2022. This decision is consistent with the CDC Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education regarding the congregate and environmental nuances associated with our university community. Given the challenges with variants and breakthrough infections, the purpose of universal entry testing is for early identification, isolation, and disease prevention among all constituents. 

The testing center is located in 113 Lane University Center. Hours of operation between Monday, January 3 and Thursday, January 20 will be 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. On Friday, January 21, Saturday, January 22 and Sunday, January 23, we will be open for testing between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. in 113 Lane University Center. 

On Monday, January 3, to prevent overcrowding, employees returning to campus whose last names begin with A through L should report between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., with those from M through Z arriving between 10 a.m. and noon. Administrative leave will be granted to those who must delay their arrival beyond their scheduled start time. (Be aware that the top of the hour tends to be more crowded, so plan accordingly.)

Employees whose schedules do not allow testing during the scheduled period should contact the Office of Human Resources for instructions. 

If you have COVID symptoms, DO NOT come to campus, rather, please contact your healthcare provider for diagnostic testing. 

Normal testing days and times for serial screening testing for those with authorized exemptions (same protocol as the fall semester) will begin on Monday, January 24th (Monday through Thursday) in 113 Lane University Center (days and times are the same as last semester and are at the bottom of this correspondence). 

FSU COVID-19 testing will be coordinated by the Brady Health Center. Compliance will be administered by Human Resources (employees) and Student Affairs (students). ACT Personnel will render contractual support.

Testing Protocol after Universal Entry Screening Testing

After Universal Entry Screening Testing, fully vaccinated constituents are not required to participate in COVID-19 testing, but they may choose to do so as they are comfortable. However, our onsite test center is for non-symptomatic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

Students with COVID symptoms should call the Brady Health Center at 301-687-4310, Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to speak with our healthcare providers to assess your condition, discuss diagnostic testing, and provide medical care. If symptoms occur after hours or during weekends, symptomatic students should contact an Urgent Care or their healthcare provider. Symptomatic employees should reach out to their healthcare provider. 

Individuals with COVID symptoms should not report to work or attend class without medical clearance.

Unvaccinated constituents who have a medical or religious exemption are required to participate in serial screening testing twice a week on non-consecutive days.

The university will continue to closely monitor key indicators to inform future decision-making. Specifically, community transmission will be monitored through state and county positivity and case rates. Once those rates are below 5% and 10 cases per 100,000 for 14 consecutive days, testing will be reduced to one time per week based on current CDC guidance for areas with low transmission. There may be specific populations where testing will be more frequent.

The test center will utilize the Abbott Binax rapid antigen nasal swab test. 

All constituents who are testing must verify their health each day using the Check-In Portal prior to arriving at the testing site. Additionally, testing constituents will be required to read and provide consent for testing through the portal upon checking in during their initial test for the academic year.

Results will be provided to the constituent by the Check-In Portal in approximately 15 minutes after the test is administered. Positive test subjects will be called and notified by a nurse from the Brady Health Center with specific medical and isolation instructions. 

Serial screening testing will begin on Monday, January 24 and will be located in Lane University Center, Room 113 during the following days and times:

  • Mondays, 8 a.m. to noon.
  • Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to noon.
  • Wednesdays, noon to 4 p.m.
  • Thursdays, noon p.m. to 4 p.m.

Other Mitigation Protocols on Campus

We continue to recommend, upon consulting with your healthcare provider, vaccinations and boosters for constituents who are eligible, especially those over the age of 60 or at risk for immuno-compromising conditions. Vaccinations and boosters can be effective in preventing infection, reducing severe health outcomes, and hospitalization. 

  • Indoor masking will continue to be required when in the presence of others. 
  • Outdoor masking on-campus is optional unless otherwise specified for a large-scale venue/event pre-approved by the Recovery Committee.
  • Social distancing is recommended as you are comfortable.

We will continue to evaluate scientific data associated with post-COVID immunological antibodies and follow guidance from the Maryland Department of Health and CDC.  

The CDC indicates that individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 may refrain for testing for a 90-day period. The University will exempt you from testing during this period. 

If you have an authorized vaccination exemption and are unable to test during specific days/times during the semester for specific reasons, please notify Dr. Jeff Graham, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs via email (jlgraham@frostburg.edu) for approval.