Skip to Main Content

Mark Parisi, director of counseling and health services, sent the following weekly COVID-19 update to Saint Rose students today (February 5, 2021):

Dear Students,

Super Bowl Sunday is ahead, and we want to remind you to not attend or host in-person Super Bowl parties. We all wish to continue the success we had last semester in limiting the spread of COVID-19 on our campus and in our community. You are all aware that gatherings still pose the greatest risk in increasing the transmission of the virus. You can prevent that from happening by exercising the good judgment you demonstrated last semester by following all the guidelines and mandates currently in place to prevent the spread. Students who attend or host gatherings will face consequences including off-campus quarantine. The CDC offers some recommendations for how to celebrate this year’s Super Bowl safely!

We had 3 students and 0 employees report positive COVID-19 test results this week, bringing our total of cases for the spring semester to 57. Please note that the total includes test results from some time ago that have been self-reported since the start of the semester. They are not always recent or active cases. As a reminder, you can find the tally of positive COVID-19 cases on campus by viewing our COVID-19 Dashboard. It will be updated as new cases are reported.

An important reminder: All undergraduate and graduate students who plan to be on campus for any reason this semester must send a negative COVID-19 test result to covidresults@strose.edu. Those who have not submitted results will be restricted from campus. ID card access to campus buildings will remain off until test results are submitted. Students who do not plan to come to campus for any reason this semester should submit this testing waiver to covidresults@strose.edu, and they will not have access to campus buildings.

Daily Symptoms Tracker: Remember to complete the Symptoms Tracker form that appears on your To-Do list in the Navigate app every day.

Increased sample testing: This semester, we are increasing our weekly sample testing efforts. We will now randomly select 10% of our on-campus population (both undergraduate and graduate students and employees) for testing each week. This is an increase from last semester, when we tested 1% to 2% of our student population on campus weekly. The testing will be conducted using a non-invasive technique involving a saliva sample. Sample testing will begin the week of February 15. You do not need to contact Health Services for this. They will reach out to those who have been randomly selected. If you are having COVID-19 testing done, be sure to not drink or eat anything a half hour before your testing appointment.

Reporting positive COVID-19 results: Please remember, we are asking all students who seek off-campus COVID-19 testing and receive a POSITIVE result to email your test result to covidresults@strose.edu.

COVID-19 vaccine: It is important to be vigilant regarding scams being perpetrated around COVID-19 vaccination. Given the current issue with the limited supply of available vaccines, scammers are taking advantage and advertising fraudulent offers to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in an effort to steal personal information and/or collect money. Beware of these scams. To learn more about all types of COVID-19 related fraud, see the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services webpage. To find the most current information on the status of legitimate COVID-19 vaccine availability in New York. See vaccine updates.

A common question: If I’m vaccinated do I need to wear a mask? The answer is yes. According to the CDC, “People wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. … We also don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself. CDC will continue to update (the public) as we learn more.”

Treatment at Health Services: For any non-urgent medical issue, students can call 518.454.5244 or email healthservices@strose.edu for assistance, and their cases will be triaged by our LPN or nurse practitioners. Based on the presenting concerns, the triage outcome may lead to a telehealth or in-person appointment with the nurse practitioner.

Treatment at the Counseling and Psychological Services Center: Students may be experiencing emotional distress in response to the impact of the pandemic on their daily lives. Please call our center at 518.454.5200 or email us at counseling@strose.edu to speak with a counselor through a phone or Zoom session.

More COVID-19 information: You can find the most current COVID-19 information on the CDC’s COVID-19 webpage. You can always call the New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus Hotline at 888.364.3065 and ask any question you have regarding COVID-19.

You can view COVID-19 data for the Capital Region (and by county) on the New York State Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard.

New York State has put out a new COVID-19 contact tracing app that you can download to your phone. This app will be used to help notify you if you have been in close contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19.

As always, if you have any concerns or questions, please contact the College’s Health Services at 518.454.5244 or healthservices@strose.edu.

Sincerely,

Mark Parisi

Director of Counseling and Health Services