Dear St. Catherine Community,
It’s hard to believe that we’re more than halfway through January and spring semester will be starting in just over a week. We are so grateful for all the care you have shown to each other as we have navigated this pandemic together. We know it has been difficult in many different ways, but you have continued to work diligently to keep our community safe. What you’ve done matters, and we ask that you continue your efforts in the months to come.
Initial Spring Semester COVID Testing
For those living, learning, and/or working on campus at the start of the spring semester, please be sure that you have reviewed the Preparedness Plan for the latest policies and procedures, and remember to:
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Complete the Daily Symptom Screening (online or via the LiveSafe app) before arriving and/or leaving your residence hall room
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Wear a mask in campus buildings, and a medical mask and face shield during in-person classes and labs
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Maintain social distance
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Limit contacts and social gatherings
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Wash your hands
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Stay home if you’re feeling sick
Testing Details
To help quickly identify anyone who may be positive but asymptomatic and limit potential spread on campus, we are strongly recommending that the following individuals be tested before moving in and/or beginning in-person classes:
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Resident students who did not live on campus during J-term
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Tier One faculty and students who did not participate in J-term classes or labs
We will hold on-campus testing events on Thursday, January 28, and Friday, January 29, to help make this as quick and easy as possible. Additional information and scheduling details will be emailed directly to those who fall into these groups. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) continues to offer saliva tests at community sites.
Reporting a Positive Test Result
Whether you’re on campus or remote, please remember to fill out the Diagnosis Notification Form should you test positive for COVID-19.
Vaccination Updates
As vaccination efforts move forward, we are working closely with Ramsey County and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to determine when the vaccine may be available more broadly. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.
We are excited that some within our campus community have already received their first — and sometimes second — dose of the vaccine because of their work in healthcare settings. To help us get a better sense of vaccination levels among faculty, staff, and students, we are hoping you will let us know once you’ve received your final dose via the COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting Form. While completing the form is not required, this information will help as we plan for the months ahead.
New International Travel Requirements
Beginning January 26, all international air travelers coming into the United States will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three (3) days of the flight (or documentation of a previous COVID-19 infection) in order to board their plane. Additional information can be found here.
COVIDaware MN
As we prepare for spring semester, it’s a great time to add your phone to the fight against COVID-19. Minnesota’s exposure notification system, COVIDaware MN, will help create a safer community on campus and beyond. The app will notify you if you’ve been near someone who tested positive for COVID-19. If you test positive, you can use the app to anonymously notify anyone you’ve been near.
COVIDaware MN is free and does not collect any personal information or track your location. The app was made available by the State of Minnesota, in partnership with PathCheck Foundation, and uses your phone’s Bluetooth signal and exposure notification technology developed by Apple and Google.
The app doesn’t replace any of the mitigation measures already in place, but serves as an additional resource to protect our community. You can learn more about COVIDaware MN online, and download it from the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our community.
Sincerely,
Safely Returning to Campus Committee Co-Chairs
Amy Kelly, MD, MPH, Director, Health and Wellness Clinic
Ann Garvey, Interim Assistant Provost for Student Affairs
Pat Pratt-Cook, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Equity and Inclusion
Lynda Szymanski, PhD, Associate Provost