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Dear campus community, Welcome to a new semester. We are excited for our full return to campus and the many opportunities we will have to take part in the traditions of college life. As we begin this academic year, here are some important updates that will help ensure the health and safety of our community. COVID-19 updateThe Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently removed its quarantine requirement for unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 but not symptomatic. We will follow the CDC’s guidance on this issue. The question about recent exposures will remain on the Campus Daily Screener to assist with contact tracing and monitoring cases on campus. As we said earlier this summer, we will continue to require the Campus Daily Screener each day you wish to be on campus. Please also complete the screener any time you have symptoms, even if you do not intend to be present on campus. The COVID-19 vaccine and booster mandates — as well as the requirement to get your flu shot by Oct. 15 — remain unchanged. If you need a vaccine or booster, contact the Campus Health Center online or at 313-577-5041 to schedule an appointment. With regard to the mask mandate, recently Wayne County has varied between “medium” and “high” community spread as defined by the CDC. For this reason, while masks are optional in most indoor spaces on campus, they will continue to be required in all classes and laboratories for the time being. This is because contact in these spaces tends to be both close and of longer duration. More detailed information about these protocols is available in a recent communication from the Campus Health Committee, and we encourage you to monitor Wayne State’s COVID-19 website for the latest information. Monkeypox in the U.S.This summer, the CDC began tracking outbreaks of monkeypox in several countries where the disease has not been historically reported. As of today, there have been more than 14,000 confirmed monkeypox cases in the United States, including more than 100 in Michigan. There is currently a great deal of misinformation circulating about monkeypox. The virus can cause painful blisters and flu-like symptoms. It is not solely a sexually transmitted disease, nor is it limited to one specific population. Testing is available and, because the virus is transmitted through prolonged contact, there are measures you can take to protect yourself. The Campus Health Committee has created a list of frequently asked questions that provides more information on the illness, its symptoms, prevention and treatment. The Campus Health Committee will continue to monitor cases, follow the latest CDC guidelines and respond to any instances on campus. If you think you have been exposed to monkeypox, please contact the Campus Health Center for testing. As always, the Campus Health Committee will monitor these situations and respond as necessary. Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of the campus community. Sincerely,
Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, PhD, RN, FAAN |
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