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COVID-19

COVID-19 Policy

Due to an increase in COVID-19 in all geographic locations of LMU campuses, the following revisions to the COVID-19 policy are now in effect until further notice.  LMU will continue to monitor the pandemic, and will modify the policy when and where appropriate.

Policy Reviewed & Updated 03/29/23

CDC issued updated guidance on 8/11/2022. The LMU policy will follow this guidance:

If you are exposed

  • Wear a mask immediately
    • Must be worn for 10 days from date of exposure (Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure)
    • No need to quarantine unless symptoms develop through day 5
    • On day 6 testing is suggested
      • If Negative continue mask for 5 additional days
      • If Positive isolate immediately
    • If symptoms develop before day 5:
      • Isolate immediately
      • Get tested
      • Stay home until results are received

If you test positive

  • If you are ill and awaiting testing:
    • Day 0 is the day of testing for counting purposes
    • Day 1 is the first full day following the day you test
    • If you test negative end isolation
    • If you develop symptoms within 10 days of your test date the date clock restart at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.
  • If you are positive:
    • Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset regardless of positive test date.
    • Day 1 is the first full day after symptoms start
    • Remain in isolation days 1-5
    • Day 6 isolation is ended but wear a mask when near others for an additional 5 days if symptomatic at any time during days 1-5.
    • NOTE: If fever still exists or other symptoms are not resolving, continue to isolate

A negative test is not required to return to work after being COVID positive.

 

Vaccinations

  • Vaccines are strongly encouraged for all students, faculty and staff. Vaccinations remain the single best defense against COVID-19 and are available for free at the local health department. 
  • LMU is asking students, faculty and staff to self-report vaccine status through WebAdvisor (See self-reporting below)

Masks

  • Optional for all members of the LMU community regardless of vaccination status
  • Optional in all clinical and laboratory (including anatomy) settings, regardless of immune status.

Offices and Classrooms

  • Faculty/staff can require visitors to their office to wear a mask.
  • Faculty cannot require students to wear a mask in the classroom (except clinical/lab settings as described above).
  • Social distancing in classrooms is encouraged where feasible.

International Travel

  • The University is following CDC guidance on international travel. Travelers must complete an informed consent form (available on the left navigation) prior to international travel.
  • As of June 12, 2022, CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight.

Please be reminded that all members of the LMU community are expected to stay home when sick and to report illness to their supervisor or Dean.  Proper hand hygiene and discretion in social settings will continue to limit the spread of COVID-19.  All members of the community are expected to abide by the University policies and to continue to assist with contact tracing in the event of a known COVID-19 exposure.

Thank you for your commitment to the safety of the LMU community.  

 

Prevention:

In order to prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19 and other influenza-like illnesses, students should follow the recommendations of the CDC for best hygiene practices. Those recommendations are attached and are being posted across campus, at off-campus instructional sites, and electronically through the website, MyLMU, and on building television monitors. Please follow these recommendations. Because COVID-19 can live on surfaces, even if only for a short time, students should avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. LMU’s custodial staff is taking extra precautions to routinely disinfect surfaces.

In addition to following best hygiene practices, students are asked not to attend class or other LMU functions if they have a fever or flu-like symptoms, especially a fever with shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and cough. Students are encouraged to seek medical treatment either at the Student Health Center or other medical clinic. If a student needs to miss class because of a fever or flu-like symptoms, the student must notify each professor as soon as possible. Professors have been instructed to provide continuity of instruction to those students who are temporarily unable to attend class for illness. Students remain responsible for all work missed. 

The Student Health Center is monitoring the number of student incidents of flu-like illnesses to assist administration in determining the impact to the LMU community. All students are asked to notify the Student Health Center if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms or have been diagnosed with the flu or COVID-19 by another medical provider. Notifying the Student Health Center will enable LMU to monitor infection rates on campus and respond accordingly.

LMU Student Health Center

Phone: 423.869.6249 Email: julie.loyke@lmunet.edu

Last Updated: 3/29/2023