Fall semester COVID-19 updates from Health Services

Mark Parisi, director of counseling and health services, sent the following message to students on Friday, August 26, 2022:

Hello students,

As you prepare for the start of classes on Monday, August 29, I want to offer some COVID-19-related reminders:

Return to campus: We are not requiring tests for the return to campus. Students and employees who have not received a medical or religious exemption from the College are still required to be fully vaccinated as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which means having the initial vaccine series. We are not requiring the vaccine booster, as there are plans to reformulate it this fall to better address current variants. We will hold vaccine clinics on campus once that new booster is released.

Masks: We will follow the CDC recommendations based on community transmission levels. Right now, the transmission level in Albany County is “medium,” as it has been for the last few months. If the transmission level is “high,” the CDC strongly encourages indoor masking, and the College will as well. You will be notified of any changes through an email from Health Services if Albany County reaches that marker, and if the transmission level subsequently declines.

If you test positive for COVID-19: Please remember you are still required to report positive COVID-19 test results to covidresults@strose.edu.

Surveillance testing: As stated in our July 1 update, we are not planning surveillance testing for the fall. Testing will be available to students and employees free of charge through Health Services by emailing healthservices@strose.edu or calling 518.454.5244. We will relocate resident students who test positive and deliver meals for their five days of isolation.

Contact tracing: Aligned with CDC’s most recent updated guidelines and Albany County’s practices, we will no longer be contact tracing or notifying faculty of positive cases. We are sharing with students that it is their responsibility to work with their faculty members just as they would with any other illness. We do ask supervisors and faculty to remain flexible allowing employees or students with symptoms to remain home to prevent the spread of transmissible viruses.

Home tests: Check your COVID-19 at-home test expiration dates, please! Many at-home tests have been getting extended expiration dates – if you’re not sure if your tests have expired, Google the brand and lot numbers.

Monkeypox: You’ve probably seen news stories about monkeypox. Here is a link to further information. While not prevalent in Albany County, many of the ways we prevent the spread of illness are the same – wash your hands and monitor for symptoms. If you are at higher risk, talk to your health care professional or the College’s Health Services staff.

Emily Ilowit, associate director of Health Services, is up to date on all of the most recent information on COVID-19, monkeypox, and other illnesses.

Self-care and good health practices are always encouraged, and we wish you a great start to the fall semester.

Sincerely,

Mark Parisi

Director of Counseling and Health Services