Fall 2022 Covid Information

Dear KSC Community,

We are looking forward to the start of the Fall 2022 semester and can’t wait to see everyone back on campus! We wanted to share the latest regarding covid-19 on campus. As with previous years, we will be following local case rates and guidance from the CDC, NH-DHHS and local infectious disease specialists to inform our strategies for reducing risk on campus. While covid-19 continues to spread within our community, we find ourselves in a very different position than the last two years. Vaccines that significantly reduce risk of severe disease are now available for almost all ages, and new effective antivirals are widely available. With increasing immunity and better tools for treatment, the risk of poor outcomes has decreased greatly. Yet, covid-19 continues to circulate with a mortality rate that remains much higher than the flu, and those who are older and with certain pre-existing conditions remain at elevated risk for severe disease. Over the past two years, our community has come together and displayed a deep caring and respect for each other by masking, testing, getting vaccinated and so much more. We are incredibly grateful for the role that every person on campus has played in supporting our community. Covid protocols for the fall 2022 semester will be very different from the past two years, reflecting the shift in management that is being seen at local and national levels. We will continue to do our best to listen, learn and offer up-to-date guidance that reflects the changing landscape of covid risk and ask that you continue to do your part to support each other as the pandemic continues.

Below you will find an overview of KSC strategies for Fall 2022, which could change if conditions warrant. For full details, please visit https://www.keene.edu/featured/covidresponse/.

TESTING/CONTACTS

Will there be arrival and surveillance testing?

There will not be arrival or surveillance testing for the fall 2022 return to campus. Prearrival testing is strongly encouraged. If possible, please take a rapid antigen test or a PCR test within 24 hours of returning to campus.

KSC will provide some antigen test kits for symptomatic testing. Please test for covid-19 if you are feeling ill. If you test negative and continue to feel ill, test again on days 2 and 4, as it sometimes takes several days to get a positive result. In the meantime, mask around others when symptoms are present.

How do I get a covid test?

Employees can pick up antigen test kits at 115 Winchester St. Monday-Thursday between 9am-1pm if you start to feel unwell while on campus. You will self-administer this test and upload a positive result as indicated below. We encourage employees to take advantage of the 8 test kits/month that you can get reimbursed for or order with no co-pay through OptumRX (Click here for more information) as KSC supplies may be limited

Students will have access to 115 Winchester St. as well and will be provided a kit of two tests at the time of arrival. Tests will also be located within resident hall communities for convenience and after hours while supplies last.

What do I do if I test positive?

Positive test results must be uploaded here, as KSC is still required to report case rates to NH Department of Health and Human Services. You will need a photo of your test that has been dated, has your initials, and a photo ID. A member of the RRT will reach out to you to provide further assistance after you upload your result. Isolation will last for 10 days with day 0 being the start of symptoms or the date of the positive test result. If symptoms have resolved by day 5, you can take a rapid test on or after day 6. If the test is negative, you can return to work/class as long as you wear a mask around other people.

For more details on isolation, please visit the FAQ’s on the covid response page.

What do I do if I am a contact of someone who has tested positive for covid-19?

If you are a contact of someone who has tested positive for covid-19, please wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure when you are around other people. Monitor for symptoms and test if symptoms appear. If no symptoms appear, test on day 2 and day 5 after exposure.

Per CDC guidance, contacts no longer have to quarantine regardless of vaccination status which means that you are free to attend work, events etc., as long as you can safely wear a mask.

MASKS

Will masks be required on campus?

At this time, masks are required only in The Wellness Center due to CDC healthcare facility requirements. However, you must mask around others if you are feeling ill, if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for covid-19 within the last 10 days, or if you have tested out of isolation but are still within 10 days of testing positive. Even though masks are not currently required, please carry a mask with you at all times, as someone may request that you wear a mask. Event organizers and faculty may choose to require masks for an event or in the classroom, so please be prepared to wear a mask and comply, if requested. Per the CDC county risk tracker, Cheshire County is in a “yellow” or moderate level of risk and indoor masks are recommended for those who are at higher risk for severe disease. Masks are an excellent tool for reducing exposure and are encouraged at Keene State, especially if you are in a crowded indoor setting or if you are at higher risk for severe disease. Please respect another person’s decision to wear a mask, and do not ask about their or their family’s health situation.

Can I get masks on campus?

Yes, most buildings on campus will have a surgical mask dispenser that you are free to use. Please bring your own masks for personal use as well.

We recommend using KN95 or N95’s if you are at risk for severe complications of covid-19 or if you want better protection. To request a KN95 or an N95, please use this online form.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations are not required at Keene State College, but they are strongly encouraged. Vaccination continues to be one of our best tools to reduce the incidence of severe disease and hospitalization. We encourage you to make sure that you are up-to-date on your covid vaccinations before returning to campus. For more information, please see the FAQ section of the covid response page listed above.

TRAVEL, EVENTS, VISITORS, SPACING

There are no covid-related restrictions on travel, events or visitors and there are no spacing requirements. We encourage you to get outside and use outdoor space as much as possible. Not only is being outside great for mental health (and we live in such a beautiful area!), but it is also a great way to reduce risk of disease transmission. As with previous years, we continue to work to improve ventilation in our indoor spaces. Opening windows or using HEPA filtration systems can improve indoor air quality. If you are concerned about an area that you work or teach in, please contact Ralph Stuart (Ralph.stuart@keene.edu) for assistance or to request a HEPA filter.

Please be on the lookout for more communications later this week regarding covid-19 management in the classroom that will include optional language that could be used for syllabi.

We are looking forward to a great semester! If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Covid Leadership Team at covidinfo@keene.edu.