Apr 27: COVID Testing Update, Testing Reminder

Apr 27, 2021 12:45 PM

Reminder: Eligible students and employees test TWICE A WEEK, EVERY WEEK

Through the university’s twice-weekly testing protocol, 15 positive tests were identified during last week’s seven-day testing period. The week’s positivity rate is 0.75 percent. While the rate remains below the region and state positivity rates, students and employees must remember that the virus IS STILL IN OUR community and practicing health and safety measures is essential. 

The total number of tests conducted continues to drop as the semester ends — this Friday is the last day of classes before final exams. Students and employees who report being completely vaccinated are exempted from twice-weekly testing (they can still test if they prefer). Additionally, students may be electing to leave campus if they have online finals or have satisfied on-campus commitments for the semester. 

Currently, more than 1,300 FSU students and employees have reported receiving a first dose, second dose or single dose of a COVID vaccine. And 1,085 have reported being fully vaccinated. 

• Students and employees not yet vaccinated can sign up for vaccinations at UPMC Frostburg Urgent Care  or pursue other opportunities.
• Students and employees who have been vaccinated should enter their vaccination information into the COVID Check-in Portal under “My Vaccinations.” 

It is important for student and employees to remain especially vigilant about safely interacting with others. Students can reach out to the Brady Health Center by calling 301-687-4310 if they have symptoms or health concerns.  

Testing Dashboard Update 

Aggregate testing data will be sent to campus and posted every Tuesday during the semester. Testing data is among the several key COVID-19 indicators the University is monitoring to determine the raising or lowering of our institutional recovery response levels.  

TESTING DASHBOARD For April 19-25, 2021 

Updated April 27, 2021; newest testing period listed at top of table

Test results during the semester include campus-wide testing of in-person students and employees, athletics testing and symptomatic tests conducted by Brady Health.   

Visit the FSU COVID-19 web site and check your FSU email for updates and important information.

VACCINATIONS

All members of the campus community are now eligible to pre-register at Maryland.gov COVID-19 Vaccinations in Maryland for the vaccine. Visit our FSU vaccination page for more details. 

TOTAL VACCINATIONS

Reported through Check-In Portal, updated April 20, 2021

IMPORTANT: If you receive a vaccine, please be sure to enter that information at COVID Check-In Portal. Look for "My Vaccinations" in the menu at the top right. You can enter first and second doses. This information is being added to the several key COVID-19 indicators the University is monitoring to determine the raising or lowering of our institutional recovery response levels.  

REVISED Testing Protocol (effective Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021)

To guide our decisions for a safer campus, Frostburg State University is implementing an intensive COVID-19 testing strategy for the spring semester. All students, faculty and staff who are regularly on campus will be tested twice each week, every week, using the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test. If your antigen test returns a positive result, you will be informed quickly and must follow up with Brady Health (for students) or your healthcare provider (for faculty and staff). Results will also be uploaded to your COVID-19 Check-in Portal approximately 20 minutes after your test.

A portion of our campus community is exempt from the campus testing protocol. You may be exempt if:

• you are an employee who is mostly teleworking/teaching fully online;
• all of your classes are fully online AND you are living off campus;
• you are a student-athlete (and being tested through Athletics);
• you previously tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days and have uploaded the result to the COVID Check-In Portal;
• you've submitted a complete COVID-19 vaccination record via the COVID Check-In Portal;
• for a reason not listed above, you've submitted an exemption request via the COVID Check-In Portal, and it has been approved.

You can check your current exemption status by visiting the COVID Check-in Portal.

COVID Test Center Hours and Guidance

The following guidance is offered:

• No appointment will be necessary, but eligible students and employees should plan to be tested once on Monday/Tuesday and again on Thursday/Friday. You can choose which days, and you do not have to use the same days each week. 
• The test center will not test on Wednesdays.
• The test times are between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. To avoid crowds, do not show up before 9 a.m., at the top of each hour, or right before the 3 p.m. closing.   
• If you are only on campus once a week (excluding Wednesdays), you may test on that day only.
• Testing in the Lane Center is for NON-SYMPTOMATIC individuals. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact Brady Health or your health care provider. 
• The testing population list will be reviewed by the Registrar (for students) or the Office of Human Resources (for faculty and staff) to ensure all constituents required to be tested are fulfilling their testing obligation per the social compact.

To promote efficient and effective follow-up, please designate a reliable cell phone number when you arrive for testing and visit the COVID-19 Check-In Portal as part of your daily routine. 

Thank you for your cooperation as we implement this very comprehensive screening protocol in an effort to keep our campus safe. Email COVIDtesting@frostburg.edu with any questions.