Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Guide

Employees are encouraged to attend the “Talk with Tuminez” Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, March 17, at 1:30 PM.  This is an opportunity for employees to come together as a community. Any discussions related to to the COVID-19 pandemic will be added to the Employee Frequently Asked Questions. 

Dear Colleagues,

We are marking a week of low COVID-19 cases at UVU. There have been several days where no new cases were reported. This is great news and indicates that we are all doing our part to protect each other. 

Yesterday, Governor Spencer Cox announced all Utahns age 50 and older and those 16 and older with qualifying conditions can start making appointments to get their COVID-19 vaccinations beginning Monday, March 8. This presents an opportunity for many of our faculty and staff to become vaccinated. We encourage you to participate as soon as you are eligible to do so. 

As more of our campus community is vaccinated, it is also important to remind everyone that masks are still mandated under governmental guidelines. We also ask that you continue to follow other current health and safety practices. 

Free non-invasive COVID-19 testing will continue. If you feel unwell, we encourage you to stay home, avoid contact with others, and make an appointment to receive a drive-thru test in lot L10. Those who are without symptoms are also invited to receive tests in the Sorensen Student Center Ballroom. The hours will be altered slightly during the week of Spring Break. The testing sites will be open from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and will be closed Friday and Saturday, March 12 and 13.

The Utah Department of Health has announced continued utilization of lot L10 as a mobile testing site when not being used for campus-only testing. It will provide non-invasive tests to anyone who would like one during the following times:

Saturday, March 6: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, March 9:  3 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, March 11: 3 to 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 13: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thank you for your efforts to keep our campus healthy and safe.

Sincerely,

Robin Ebmeyer

Director of Emergency Management, Environmental Health, and Safety

Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Due to high transmission levels, the Utah Department of Health’s mandate to wear a mask remains in force in Utah County and the state. As variants of the virus surface in Utah and the U.S., UVU will continue to require that everyone wear masks on campus until the COVID-19 virus is under control (a criterion set by the Utah Department of Health).

We have learned some masks are more effective than others. The following information comes from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations. These guidelines are the result of research conducted regarding masks.

UVU strongly recommends the campus community use masks that have been shown to provide better protection, as listed below:

• Tightly fitted masks on the face (those with a nose wire are best, as they create fewer air gaps and enable less spread of respiratory droplets)
• Double masks (surgical and fabric)
• Fabric masks with several layers (two to three)
• *Surgical masks
• N95 or KN95/NIOSH-approved respirators (no need to double mask)
• Gaiters with at least two layers of fabric

*This link provides additional assistance on ways to make your mask fit more snugly to offer better protection.

Masks or face coverings that do NOT offer as much protection and are thus not seen as appropriate at UVU include:

• Bandanas
• Scarves
• Small plastic face shields that do NOT cover the entire face

At times, there are reasons why a person may not be able to wear a mask. We ask students to work with Accessibility Services for an accommodation. We ask employees to work with Human Resources for an accommodation. Usually, an approved accommodation is to replace a mask with a full-face shield (covering the entire face). In cases where this is not a viable option, we will work with the individual to seek other appropriate and protective alternatives.

Thank you for your diligence in wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and testing for the COVID-19 virus. We all appreciate your efforts to keep our community safe.

Sincerely,

Robin Ebmeyer

Director of Emergency Management and Safety

Utah Valley University

 

 

Dear UVU Students and Colleagues,

The COVID-19 rates continue to spike in Utah, and we must increase our efforts to “Stay Safe to Stay Open.” The state is heightening efforts to slow the spread, particularly as we head into the cold winter months.

Last Friday, November 6, Utah technical college and university presidents were briefed on the current situation. Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Utah Department of Health have noted that they are not seeing a spread in university classrooms, offices, and retail outlets. These public places, including UVU, have taken strict safety measures to protect community members. Sadly, much of the spread is occurring in small social gatherings where safety precautions may be more relaxed.

In addition, health officials noted the spread is mainly occurring among those in the 18-35 age group with individuals who feel no or very few symptoms. As a result, they may be spreading the disease — without knowing it — to older family members and neighbors who may be more susceptible to the potential health effects of COVID-19.

Since universities are positioned to mobilize and reach those in the 18-35 age group, the Utah Board of Higher Education, in accordance with the Governor’s executive order issued Sunday, November 8, requests all Utah colleges and universities to conduct weekly COVID-19 testing of all students who “attend at least one course face-to-face on campus.” These students will be required to be tested for COVID-19 weekly. UVU is required to have this plan in place by no later than January 1, 2021.

Utah Valley University will continue to follow CDC guidelines and operate under our current modified conditions as we provide additional testing for the UVU community. We began providing tests in four locations on campus last month. Now, thanks to additional test kits from the Utah Department of Health, we are ramping up our capabilities and rolling out more testing opportunities to reach as many students, staff and faculty as possible, especially before Thanksgiving and our shift to remote instruction. The free tests require an anterior nasal swab that is less invasive. The results are emailed within hours. We will have more information on our expanded testing for spring term soon. In the meantime, you can make an appointment to be tested in one of four locations across campus by selecting this link.

As a community service, we are also working with TestUtah to test anyone who would like to be tested, whether they are affiliated with UVU or not. This free testing for the community will take place in the UCCU Center (by appointment only) on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Wednesday, Nov. 18. Tests offered through TestUtah require additional processing time.

If you have questions, please email covidtesting@uvu.edu. We will continue to share updates on the expanded testing and encourage all to remain vigilant in wearing masks, distancing, washing hands, avoiding unprotected social gatherings, and staying home when sick. Governor Herbert has also advised that all social gatherings be limited to ten people or less, and that we best celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday with those who share our living spaces.

Together, we can slow down the spread of COVID-19. Let’s show exceptional care and do our part to protect our loved ones and the larger community.

Thank you for your continued patience and compliance as we strive to care for one another and keep higher education and our economy open. 

With warm regards,

President Astrid S. Tuminez

Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Governor Gary Herbert announced a new COVID 19 response system, which took effect last Thursday. The state has moved from a color-coded restriction system to a level of transmission system that designates each county as at a high, medium, or low transmission level. It’s based on the following data:

• 7-day average percent positivity (how many people out of 100 test positive)
• 14-day case rate per 100,000 population (how many people test positive)
• Statewide ICU utilization, two parts:
• ICU occupancy overall 
• Percentage of ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients 

Counties that meet two of three criteria of case rates, positive rates, and ICU utilization will be moved to the appropriate transmission level. Counties may move from lower to higher transmission levels weekly, but those ranked as high transmission areas will remain at that level for two weeks. Reporting will occur every Thursday.

How does this impact Utah Valley University? 

We will match the new high, moderate, and low categories, corresponding with our directives found in red, orange, yellow, and green statuses. Our model was created in conjunction with state and local health departments and the system of higher education. It is more specific to our campus but aligns with the state’s new guidelines. 

Movement from one level to another will change restrictions such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, social gatherings, etc. Utah County is currently categorized as a high-transmission area. UVU has monitored public health metrics during the pandemic and will continue to do so. We can all help our county move to a lower level by being proactive, wearing masks, social distancing, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding contact with others when sick. We also request students and employees fill out the self-reporting form, whether ill or exposed, as this helps us mitigate clusters of the virus and make care recommendations. Controlling campus spread keeps our campuses open.

With highest regards,

Robin Ebmeyer 

Director of Emergency Management and Safety

Utah Valley University

Dear Colleagues,

Like you, we are watching the spike in COVID-19 cases in Utah, and particularly in Utah County, with concern. We remain committed to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We are working closely with both state and local health departments daily to determine appropriate protocol. 

CAMPUS SAFETY GUIDELINES:

Remember, we need to “Stay Safe to Stay Open,” so please continue to be vigilant in following health and safety guidelines.

GUIDELINES SHOULD SOMEONE TEST POSITIVE: 

During this time of uncertainty, we understand there may still be questions regarding appropriate actions if you test positive to the COVID-19 virus, or it is detected in your area.

Please follow these procedures:

If someone in your area becomes ill

• If someone in your class, area, or department becomes ill or thinks they have been exposed to COVID-19, they should complete the COVID-19 Self-Reporting Form for Illness or Exposure.
• If someone (student or employee) is ill, instructors or supervisors should ask them to leave campus.
• Continued social distancing and masking precautions are very effective measures that lower the risk when interacting with people at work.
• Employees (full time and part-time) are encouraged to reach out to Human Resources to discuss leave options if needed.

If someone you live with or have close contact with becomes ill

• If someone you live with or have continued close contact with becomes ill or tests positive, you have likely been exposed and should stay home. Employees should notify their supervisors and complete the COVID-19 Self-Reporting Form for Illness or Exposure.
• Close contact is defined by CDC as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. (updated to new CDC definition Jan  2021)

What happens next?

• Departments should not shut down on their own if someone is ill, or if a co-worker was exposed to someone outside of the department who is ill. Instead, instructors or supervisors should send the affected individual home. Ask them to complete the COVID-19 Self-Reporting Form for Illness or Exposure. Consult with Robin Ebmeyer, director of emergency management and safety, and the dean or AVP of the affected area to make an action plan. It is essential to continue to provide services, but ensuring health and safety remains the first priority.
• If someone in an area, department, or office recently tested positive for COVID-19, let Custodial Services know, and they will conduct deep cleaning. The classrooms are thoroughly cleaned every night. 
• UVU’s Contact Tracing Team will review self-reporting forms, and a representative from the team will contact these individuals and any who meet the criteria of close contact with more information. 
• Completing these forms helps the university identify and notify other students, faculty, and staff who may have interacted and possibly exposed. No identities will be revealed. This is one way to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep UVU open. If close contact occurred with someone who tested positive, the contact tracers will notify the respective individuals and give specific instructions. 
• If a student receives an email stating someone in their class has tested positive, this is informational and provided to help them make their own action plan. 

We hope this guidance clarifies procedures and assists you in your efforts to continue to deliver a quality experience for our students who are relying on all of us to provide a safe, productive, and supportive campus environment. Thank you for your tremendous efforts and exceptional care. 

Sincerely,

Wayne Vaught

Provost 

Vice President of Academic Affairs 

Val Peterson

Vice President of Finance and Administration 

Refer to the HR COVID-19 Archive for the full list of COVID-19 employee related communications. Please note COVID-19 communications are dated, and may no longer be relevant to the current COVID-19 situation. Please visit  the Return to Campus website for campus updates.