Spring 2023 Updates

COVID-19 Information - May 2023

As the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has ended and the 2022-2023 academic year concludes, the University has removed the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine requirements effective May 15, 2023. However, DU recommends staying up-to-date on CDC vaccine recommendations. DU has established a public health framework which follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and monitors public health concerns.  Over the course of this academic year DU has gradually reduced COVID-19 protocols and restrictions to move healthcare decisions back to the individual. With a vaccination rate over 95%, we are grateful to our students, faculty, and staff for embracing this transition.

COVID-19 Testing

Although there will no longer be COVID-19 testing at the Care Pod, COVID-19 test kits are readily available through various retail outlets nationwide. Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 may make an appointment at the Health and Counseling Center (HCC); the costs of testing and treatment depends on the student’s insurance plan.

In January 2023 the federal government began distributing a second round of free at home COVID-19 test kits with every U.S. household eligible to order four tests. If you have not yet received those tests, please click this link to order.

If You Have Symptoms of COVID-19

When a student feels symptomatic, they may take an antigen test, if they have one, or make an appointment with HCC through myhealth.du.edu and a provider at the HCC will discuss testing and treatment options as well as associated costs.

Faculty and staff should contact their own healthcare provider to determine which tests and treatment are appropriate and follow applicable procedures for absence from work due to illness.

If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, follow the isolation instructions below. If your COVID-19 test is negative, please stay home until your symptoms subside.

If you are symptomatic and test negative for COVID-19

Stay home until your symptoms subside.

Isolation

Residential students who test positive for COVID-19 should email publichealth@du.edu with the date they tested positive.

All community members must stay home and isolate in your home/living space following the CDC isolation guidelines on when to end isolation. Click here to access the CDC Isolation and Exposure Calculator.

Unless you are a residential student, you are no longer required to report your positive COVID-19 tests to DU. However, employees must follow applicable procedures for absence from work due to illness.

Meals for residential students isolating in place

When a residential student tests positive for COVID-19, the student must notify the DU’s Public Health team by email at publichealth@du.edu to receive instructions for ordering Sodexo meal delivery for the duration of the isolation.

If You've Been Exposed to COVID-19

If you have been exposed to COVID-19:

Wear an N95 mask or another high-quality mask for 10 full days from the date of exposure. You do not need to quarantine or isolate, regardless of vaccination status.

Consult the CDC Isolation and Exposure Calculator for specific instructions.

If you begin to feel symptomatic, isolate immediately and test for COVID-19. If the COVID-19 test is positive, isolate as directed above.

Isolation/exposure procedures and vaccination status

The isolation/exposure/testing rules are the same for those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated.

Vaccination requirements

Vaccination requirements have not changed.

Contacts

Therese Mashak

Public Health Project Manager

303-871-2583

publichealth@du.edu

Website: du.edu/public-health

 

Health and Counseling Center

303-871-2205

24/7

HCCinfo@du.edu

Website: studentaffairs.du.edu/health-counseling-center

Medical Coverage for International Travelers (New)

For international travelers, we launched a new and comprehensive medical insurance plan that covers most urgent and emergent medical issues for DU students, faculty and staff traveling internationally for DU business and/or academic-related programs. This will improve our travel record-keeping through an enhanced partnership with International SOS allowing DU to respond to emergencies and COVID-19 cases more efficiently.

Self-Care

We will continue our current approach to COVID-19 in the spring quarter, focusing on personal responsibility and providing the DU community with the resources to care for their health, including isolating per CDC guidelines, in addition to offering ongoing health and safety support for international travelers. The public health team will remain vigilant and monitor COVID-19 variants and developments while redirecting our focus to student, faculty, and staff well-being.