Assumption COVID-19 Protocol Updates

By Maggie Buckley, Editor-in-Chief

If there has been one constant during our almost two years of living through a pandemic, it’s change.

Whether it be in the most common variant, the CDC guidelines, or Assumption’s response to the situation, things have always been changing, and sometimes it is hard to keep up. 

Here’s the information you need to know as an Assumption student during the pandemic all in one place.

1. Both positive and negative results will be sent out via email.

In the fall semester, students who received an email from CareEvolve@LKNotification.com could assume they were negative as those who received a phone call from Assumption staff were positive.  Now, however, it is important to log into the account, access the results directly, and isolate if necessary, as there will be no more phone calls.

2. If a student tests positive, their ID will stop working.

This means students will not be able to enter campus, their dorms, or the dining halls during their isolation period.  IDs will be reactivated at the end of their isolation period.

3. There are resources available for those who test positive.

These resources include meal-delivery services for eligible students, virtual social events, telehealth appointments, and counseling services.  Additionally, individuals who test positive and isolate on-campus will be housed with other positive students in COVID-19 housing so as to ensure individuals will not be alone.

4. Isolation times have been shortened for those without symptoms.

If an individual tests positive but remains asymptomatic for 6 days from the date of testing, they are able to return to campus on the 6th day. If however, the individual shows symptoms on the 6th day, they must isolate for the full 10 days.

5. Quarantine protocols 

Students who are either boosted or received their vaccine at most 6 months ago  (or 2 months if they received Johnson & Johnson) do not need to quarantine if exposed, but need to wear a mask inside and outside for 5 days and get tested on the 5th day.  Unvaccinated students need to quarantine for 5 days, test on the 5th day, and continue to wear a mask both inside and outside for 10 days.

6. KN-95 or N-95 are masks now recommended.

Because of the highly infectious nature of the omicron variant, students on campus are encouraged to wear KN-95 or N-95 masks.  However, if this is not possible, individuals are encouraged to double-mask in order to provide more protection.  Masks need to be worn indoors by everyone.  Only the unvaccinated and those with COVID-19 coming out of quarantine before day 10 are required to wear masks outside.

7. Booster shots are now required.

Though at the onset of winter break, boosters for the vaccinated were only recommended, they are now mandated.  Eligible individuals were originally told they must receive their booster by Feb. 1st., but this deadline has now been extended in light of the vaccination clinic that will now be held on campus.

8. Symptom tracker no longer needs to be shown at the front gate.

Students do not need to show the daily-symptom tracker, nor do they need to fill it out UNLESS they have tested positive for COVID.

9. Guests do not need to be pre-registered to visit campus.

Guests only need to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of arriving on campus. 

10. Testing Center Hours

Monday: 11-7

Tuesday: 11-7

Wednesday: 11-7

Thursday: 11-7

Friday: 8:45-12