Dear Members of the Lehigh Community,
The daily COVID-19 self-assessment (available on Hawkwatch) has been an important tool to remind our community to monitor any potentially COVID-related symptoms. As COVID cases in the local area have decreased and vaccination rates continue to increase, we are making the following change:
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Effective immediately, we will no longer require daily symptom check-ins for students, faculty and staff to gain card access to university buildings.
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Any additional changes regarding requirements for card access to campus buildings will be shared. All buildings will remain locked with card access only until communicated otherwise.
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We encourage everyone to continue to monitor closely for COVID symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, and to take appropriate action by getting tested and following guidance as directed.
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Please remember the Hawkwatch app is used by the university for communicating emergency and safety information. DO NOT DELETE the application, as the university will continue to send emergency notifications through the app. Learn more about the tool and how to sign up for alerts on the website if you have not yet done so.
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General visitors and contractors should continue following the same screening protocols as before, including completing a symptom screening using the website or through the Hawkwatch app. Admissions visitors should follow the most current directions provided by the Admissions Office.
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There may be circumstances—for example, large events, especially indoors—where students, faculty, staff or visitors may be required to show evidence that you have assessed your symptoms using the app and been cleared for access. Event organizers may make this a requirement on a case-by-case basis.
Again, while the daily check-in will no longer be required for building access, the self-assessment tool will be updated in Hawkwatch to serve as a resource of information about steps you should take if you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms. We encourage students, faculty and staff to consider voluntarily completing the self-assessment as a good symptom- and self-monitoring practice.
We continue to strongly encourage all members of the Lehigh community and visitors to regularly monitor your health:
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If you feel sick, stay home and away from others—even if you are not sure if your symptoms are COVID-related.
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Remember the common cold, the flu and other viruses are still out there and also take their toll on people’s health.
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Faculty and staff who have symptoms consistent with COVID, or are not sure, please continue to contact the university’s Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe, RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. 23504 or at Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org.
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Students who have symptoms consistent with COVID, or are not sure, should contact the Lehigh Health and Wellness Center.
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Both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals with COVID-related symptoms should consult with their health provider, get tested and follow all instructions provided (including isolating if you test positive for COVID). Individuals identified as close contacts also should follow all directions for testing and quarantining, if applicable.
We also continue to strongly encourage all community members to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to not wait until the start of the fall semester. We will continue to keep you updated and informed on the campus’s current status.
The best practices we’ve learned about mitigating the spread of the virus and how we play a role in fostering a safe and healthy living, learning and working environment will continue to serve us well into the future. They will also be critical to supporting our full return to campus and maintaining a healthy community. Thank you for your support.
-COVID-19 Response Team