West Virginia University releases COVID-19 testing, awareness protocols for upcoming spring semester

“With that, all employees and students should head into the spring semester with safety at the forefront,” according to a release. “The university believes its safety protocols, if abided by correctly, will help to keep the campus communities safe and allow students to return and continue their education successfully this spring.”

WVU has given a list of safety measures:

• Wear a mask/face covering on and off campus. They are required on campus at all times - indoors and outdoors — unless in a private office/vehicle/residence hall room or while eating.
• Practice safe physical distancing on and off campus of six feet. Data show the majority of COVID-19 spread in the fall took place off campus, so it’s important to practice physical distancing when away from campus, as well.
• Practice good hand and cough hygiene; wash hands for at least 20 seconds and use hand sanitizer as needed. Cover coughs, even while wearing a mask.
• Monitor symptoms daily. For personal safety and the safety of others, don’t ignore symptoms; those with any symptoms should not report to campus for work or class.
• If requested, take a COVID-19 test as part of baseline and ongoing testing procedures.
• Report positive COVID-19 test results to the university.

WVU requires all students and employees who will be on campus at any point to be tested for COVID-19 by Saturday. Employee testing began Jan. 8, and student testing began Monday. Students must be tested on campus, and outside test results will not be accepted. Those who have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days are required to notify the university. Those who have been vaccinated are still required to complete the testing.

Students must receive a negative test result before Jan. 19 or they will not be allowed into the classroom for instruction.

According to a release, at least 10% of students each week will be asked to be tested for COVID-19 as part of the University’s ongoing testing plan. Some students and employees may be asked to test more frequently due to their involvement in certain majors, programs, residence halls, sports teams, etc.

“During the November registration for spring semester, students indicated a slightly higher preference for online course offerings than we previously anticipated,” the WVU release said.

A total of 67% of the registered seats are now in online sections, and 33% are in in-person sections. In online courses, 60% of registered seats are in synchronous — or real-time — sections, which is a 14% increase from the fall semester.

“After reviewing current travel bans and global infrastructures, such as healthcare and transportation systems, WVU has decided that faculty-led study abroad programs will not run this summer,” a release said. “Faculty-led programs tend to be more mobile, with participants traveling to multiple sites and cities, and require significant advance planning. Continued uncertainty around international travel serves as a significant obstacle to such planning.”

WVU students living in residence halls who have COVID-19 will be isolated in Arnold Apartments or Gaskins House. Those asked to quarantine for 14 days will have to opportunity to shorten the time to 10 days if they have no symptoms, receive a negative test result on day 6 or 7, and follow all safety measures through day 14.

As of Monday, WVU has administered the COVID-19 vaccine to 240 employees. WVU will distribute vaccine doses based on state guidelines developed by the West Virginia Joint Interagency Task Force. Students are not required to receive the vaccine to attend classes, but all are encouraged to do so.