COVID Testing Protocol for Spring 2021

Jan 19, 2021 2:15 PM

We are expanding of our asymptomatic COVID testing program significantly this semester, starting with a universal testing of the population living on or regularly coming to campus at the beginning of the semester. Testing is REQUIRED for this population.

Entirely online students and teleworking employees are not required to be part of the start-of-semester or ongoing testing protocol, as well as those who have already had the virus within the last 90 days. If you think you should be exempt and received a registration email from COVIDtesting@frostburg.edu, send an email to that address to request an exemption. Likewise, if you believe you should be in the tested population and did not receive an email, contact COVIDtesting@frostburg.edu. This is also separate from student-athletes, who are undergoing their own extensive testing program as recommended by the NCAA.

Universal Testing to Start Semester

From Jan. 20-24, we will be doing universal testing at the beginning of the semester for all students, faculty and staff who will be coming to campus regularly. Everyone in that category has received a registration email to reserve a time. Please look for this email and register.

Testing will occur in the Lane University Center Manicur Assembly Hall (ARMAH). You must show your COVID-19 Check-in Badge at entry to the testing site. Please do not attend the testing event if you are symptomatic. Instead, follow up with your healthcare provider.

We will be using the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test. If your antigen test returns a positive result, you will be contacted and must follow up with Brady Health (students) or your healthcare provider (faculty/staff).

Anyone who wants to submit a negative test performed elsewhere in advance may also do so through the FSU COVID Check-In Portal portal any time before the start of school. The test must be dated Jan. 11 or later.

Asymptomatic Testing Throughout Semester

We performed nearly 10,000 tests last fall, but this spring, we anticipate performing 30,000 or more tests over course of the semester. As with the fall, these numbers will include the NCAA-recommended testing for student athletes, who make up about 10 percent of our student population.

We are able to expand the process by using antigen tests that USM and the Maryland Health Department have made available for purchase for all the state universities. These tests provide a result in approximately 15 minutes.

We will be testing approximately 50 percent of our eligible population (students and employees) twice every week for two weeks, with the other half tested in the following two-week cycle. The two-week cycle is based on health guidelines and recommendations regarding antigen testing.

COVID-19 Dashboard

Testing results will be provided weekly on Tuesdays, beginning on Jan. 26. Watch your FSU emails for that information. It will also be posted on the COVID-19 Information web site& on the testing dashboard page. Individual test results will be made available in the portal at the FSU COVID Check-In Portal. The recovery team will continue monitoring COVID indicators on a daily basis.

Personal Behavior

It is crucially important to continue individual precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must:

  • wear a face mask in all interactions with others,
  • remain socially distanced (6 feet) from any other person, and
  • frequently wash/sanitize your hands.
  • avoid crowds.

Also required of all students and employees is

These actions are proven to reduce the spread of the virus. We continue to sanitize and clean common areas and spaces across the campus. It is essential that we continue to be vigilant about the virus.

The Dean of Students Office and the Office of Human Resources have been and will continue to issue disciplinary sanctions for individuals placing others in harm. Likewise, faculty and staff who fail to comply with the social compact and compromise the well-being of others may be addressed by their supervisors. Students or employees can also reach out to spring2021@frostburg.edu with any concerns about people or areas that are failing to comply with the social compact.