COVID-19 Campus Updates

Students who have respiratory symptoms (sore throat, cough, nasal congestion):

• Take an at-home rapid antigen test; test kits are available in the Student Health & Counseling Center lobby. We recommend that you test no more than once a day.
  
  Note regarding test kit expiration date: the expiration date on the test kits has been extended by the CDC from Oct. 31, 2022 to Oct. 31, 2023.

Students who feel well, but have been exposed to COVID:

• Regardless of your vaccination status, monitor for symptoms for 10 days after exposure and test for COVID on day 5. There is no need to test more frequently (unless you develop symptoms).

Am I required to report my positive COVID test to the Health Center?

• No, you are not required to report your test to the Health Center or any other department on campus.

Should I isolate?

• Yes, you must isolate per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Where do I isolate?

• On-campus students are encouraged to isolate themselves at their permanent, off-campus residence. If you cannot leave campus, you can isolate yourself in your own room. Roommates may stay, but you and your roommate must both mask when in the room together. If you would prefer an isolation room, contact your community advocate (CA) or community director (CD).
  
  Roommates who are not COVID positive and who wish to move out of the room may contact their CA or CD.

• Off-campus students should remain in their off-campus residence to isolate.

How long must I isolate?

• You must isolate for a minimum of 5 days. For example, if your symptoms began on a Wednesday, you would isolate yourself through Monday night. (Wednesday is day 0, Thursday is day 1, etc.)

• You must wear a mask during isolation and for 5 days after isolation (for a total of 10 days). Details on isolation can be found on the CDC website..

May I attend classes/activities?

• No, you may not attend classes or activities until you have completed isolation.
  
  
• Notify your faculty that you are unable to attend classes in person. If your faculty requires an official absentee notice, email the Health Center at [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, Banner id and the dates of your isolation period.

I am isolated on campus, how do I get food?

• You may mask up and leave your room for a grab-and-go meal. These services are available at various locations throughout campus.
  
  
• If you want to pre-order your food at a grab-and-go location (Kent Cafe, Tim Hortons, Einstein Bagels, or the SunDowner (aka “Burghy’s Grill”), please use the Boost app. NOTE: Clinton Dining Services does not accept Boost app orders.
  
  
• You must return to your room to eat and should not mingle with friends.
  
  
• If you live on campus and are too ill to obtain food at Clinton Dining Hall, please contact your CA for assistance.

• Ordering Doordash, GrubHub, etc? When your delivery person notifies you that your meal has arrived, mask up and meet them at the front door of your building. Again, limit talking with others and return to your room as soon as possible.

May I leave my room during isolation?

• Yes, after you put on your mask, you may leave your room for these reasons: to grab a “to go” meal, to grab a delivery from the main entrance, to use the bathroom if one is not in your room or suite, to evacuate during a fire alarm or if you have a medical appointment.
  
  
• You may leave your room to do laundry. Limit your time in the laundry room, especially if others are present.

May I have Guests/Visitors?

• No. YOU (and your roommate) are the ONLY people allowed in your room!
  
  
• You CANNOT have guests or visitors during this time of isolation.

Do my close contacts have to quarantine?

• No. As of 8/11/22, close contacts do not need to quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status. For detailed information about what to tell your close contacts, visit the CDC’s What to do if you were exposed to COVID-19.

Where can I get masks and over-the-counter medications?

• Contact the Health Center if you are in need of masks or over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, nasal decongestants or cough syrup.

My COVID symptoms are getting worse, what should I do?

• If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911 or call University Police at 518-564-2022.
  
  
• The Health Center is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please email or call for an appointment: [email protected] or 518-564-2187.

Helpful People to Contact

• University Police: 518-564-2022
• Student Health & Counseling Center: M-F, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 518-564-2187
• Medical emergencies: 911
• Central Heating Plant: 518-564-5030
• Maintenance & Operations: 518-564-5044
• Housing & Community Living: 518-564-3824, M-F: 8 a.m.-4 p.m
• Duty Cell Phone & Campus “Duty” Extensions:

Building: Director on Call
Call Number: 518-565-7028
Voicemail/Duty Line: 518-564-3824

Building: deFredenburgh Hall
Call Number: 518-726-7046
Voicemail/Duty Line: 518-564-3121

Building: Harrington Hall
Call Number: 518-726-6098
Voicemail/Duty Line: 518-564-3187

Building: Hood Hall
Call Number: 518-726-6099
Voicemail/Duty Line: 518-564-3117

Building: Macomb/Kent Hall
Call Number: 518-726-6464
Voicemail/Duty Line: 518-564-3108

Building: Mason Hall
Call Number: 518-726-6468
Voicemail/Duty Line: 518-564-2240

My employer wants proof that I have to isolate. Where can I get that?

• Affirmation of Isolation forms from the New York State Department of Health can be found here.

• All students are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on their initial course of vaccinations and boosters consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. While vaccines are not required at this time as a condition of enrollment, SUNY reserves the authority to change this policy at any time because of changes in local conditions or due to requirements imposed by federal, state or local authorities.

   

• Students enrolled in any program or course or who are participating in a clinical or internship held at a third-party location must continue to comply with all health and safety guidelines, including any vaccination or testing protocols that are in place at the third-party location.

While a vaccination requirement does not currently apply to faculty and staff, SUNY Plattsburgh faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated to support the safety of our community.

Testing Access and Availability

• Employees should contact their primary care provider or visit the New York State COVID-19 testing website  for PCR testing availability.

Reporting Requirements for Employees Who Test Positive

• Employees who have a positive COVID-19 test result should contact Human Resource Services at [email protected] or 518-564-5062.

Masks are not generally required to be worn on campus or while on the campus shuttle.

All students, faculty, and staff must follow the masking requirements for activities or instruction delivered at a third-party location.

• While in the Student Health and Counseling Center, patients with respiratory and gastrointestinal illness will be required to wear masks.

Some members of our Cardinal community will choose to mask for a number of reasons. This may include immunocompromised conditions. As a mask-friendly campus, we respect and encourage individual decisions around personal health, safety and circumstances.

SUNY Plattsburgh follows CDC’s international travel guidelines and recommendations. Campus community members returning from international travel must adhere to these guidelines.