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College of Medicine Pandemic Response Friday Round-Up – Week of Sept. 13-17

College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on Sept. 17 about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

This Week’s Updates:

Keeping Our Learning Community Safe

The cases of the delta variant of COVID-19 are rapidly increasing in our community. Penn State College of Medicine’s goal is to preserve the highest quality of educational experiences at all times.

There are no changes at this time to our in-person options; however, the community, student body and hospital data, as well as extracurricular activities, are being closely monitored. Students’ education and safety, and the safety of our staff and community, are our priorities.

Here are a few reminders for students and staff:

Please stay home if you have symptoms.

  • Even if you have just minor symptoms, please do not go to campus.
    • Employees: Please contact your supervisor and plan to work remotely until you have called Employee Health.
      • Employees experiencing symptoms:
        • All employees: Call Penn State Employee Health at 814-863-8492.
      • Students: Please do not go to classes or to clerkships until you have called Student Health. We will make sure that virtual options and makeup sessions are made available to students.
        • Students experiencing symptoms:
          • All students: Call Student Health at 717-531-5998, even after hours and on weekends.
          • First- and second-year students: Fill out an absence form.
          • Clerkship students: Contact your course director/coordinator.
        • Please do not hesitate to email StudentAffairs@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or call 717-531-4103/4388 with any questions about COVID-19 or any other concerns you may have.

Please stay vigilant when off campus.

  • Assume that all restaurant customers or any indoor-venue customers are unvaccinated or may have been exposed to COVID-19. Indoor settings with unknown individuals, particularly venues where masks are not worn, are at present the highest risk. Even if you are vaccinated or have had COVID-19, you are still at risk for being infected and infectious from the delta variant.
  • Avoid contact with large groups of children, if possible.
  • Avoid indoor gatherings/parties with non-household members. Outdoor gatherings present a lower risk.

Mask up everywhere.

  • On campus
  • Anywhere indoors outside your household
  • Anywhere you will be in close proximity with people, even outdoors

If you have any concerns about your mental wellness, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Mental Health at 717-531-8658 or pmh@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

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