Dear Faculty, staff and students,
DePaul bases its COVID-19 response on state and local requirements, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, and input from the university's Community Health Team and medical advisor from AMITA Health. We adapt our measures as the circumstances of the pandemic change.
This summer, the governor of Illinois rescinded an executive order related to COVID-19. Last week, the CDC updated its COVID-19 guidance on screening and quarantine recommendations. These developments were considered as the university planned adjustments to its approach to the pandemic.
The following message outlines the university's updated COVID-19 measures and provides information on monkeypox. More information, including FAQs, can be found on DePaul's COVID-19 Updates and Guidance website.
Vaccine requirement
DePaul will continue its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the 2022-23 academic year for current and incoming students, faculty and staff. The first booster also will continue to be required when applicable. As with all required vaccinations, medical and religious exemptions will continue to be available. The requirement for university vendors and volunteers to be vaccinated or show proof of testing ended when the governor lifted the executive order.
COVID-19 testing
Rapid COVID-19 tests will be available for students, faculty or staff. Visit DePaul's COVID-19 Testing webpage for more information on where to obtain them. Campus housing staff will provide tests to on-campus residents on weekends or holidays as needed.
For faculty and staff enrolled in the university's HMO, PPO or CDHP plans, DePaul's medical plan pharmacy benefits cover over the counter COVID diagnostic tests up to $12 per test and up to eight tests every 30 days per person. For more information, visit DePaul's COVID-19 Testing page.
Due to the increased accessibility to at-home tests, DePaul will not offer on-campus testing through SHIELD Illinois this academic year, and community members with vaccine exemptions will no longer be required to test weekly.
If you begin to feel sick, use the CDC's self-checker and get tested as soon as possible.
COVID-19 reporting and contact tracing
DePaul is an open community, and given how prevalent the virus is, it can be difficult to identify the source and place of infection. Often someone contracts the virus off campus. In addition, the latest CDC guidance recommends limiting contact tracing to hospitals and high-risk group-living situations such as nursing homes. As a result, DePaul will discontinue on-campus COVID-19 reporting and contact tracing.
Those who test positive for COVID-19 should visit the CDC's website for the most up-to-date instructions on quarantine, isolation and safety measures.
For students living on-campus who test positive for COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Campus Housing Information website for all up to date information and frequently asked questions.
On-campus COVID-19 mitigation efforts
While DePaul no longer requires masks, Chicago's COVID-19 risk level is at a medium level and wearing a mask indoors on campus is highly recommended. Masks will continue to be available at the first-floor desk areas near building entrances.
At the beginning of the pandemic, DePaul invested in over 700 hand sanitizer stations and upgraded DePaul-owned buildings' HVAC filters to better mitigate the spread of particles. Both improvements will remain in place for the academic year.
The DePaul community should also be mindful and wash their hands often, cover their coughs and sneezes, disinfect high touch surfaces, and monitor their health daily, staying home if they feel unwell.
Thank you for continuing to respect one another and Take Care DePaul. It remains important for everyone at DePaul to monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms, test when you feel sick and stay home to avoid exposing others if you are sick. The university will continue to monitor the situation, review guidelines from Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the CDC, consult with on-campus stakeholders, and make adjustments as needed.
Monkeypox
On Aug. 1, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker declared the monkeypox virus a public health emergency in this state. DePaul consults weekly with its medical advisor from AMITA Health about monkeypox and is following guidance from the CDPH. The university will manage monkeypox in the same way as other communicable illnesses. Information and protocols, including those for infected resident hall students, can be found here.
According to CDPH, monkeypox is spread by skin-to-skin contact, particularly intimate contact, prolonged exposure to an infected person's respiratory droplets, or close contact with lesions/objects that have had contact with bodily lesions (e.g., linens, towels, dishes). While painful, monkeypox is rarely fatal, particularly in the United States.
DePaul will update students, faculty and staff of any changes or updates to its policies as they relate to monkeypox. Updates for on-campus student residents will be shared via the Housing website and via email as needed. More information about the virus can be found on the CDPH website.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email DePaulCommunityHealth@depaul.edu. |
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