November 12, 2020 Update: COVID-19
COVID-19 Testing & Health Resources for 194 St. Paul Street Residents
Dear Students,
As Thanksgiving approaches and Champlain moves to remote operations, we know that many of you are curious about on-going surveillance testing and where to get help should you become ill. Additionally, we want to inform you of immediate updates to the College guest and event policy and remind you that 194 St. Paul Street students who depart the state are not permitted to return to their apartment until Spring Opening. If you have not submitted your Winter Break Plans application on THD, please do so.
Pre-Thanksgiving Testing
If you are planning to leave for the Thanksgiving holiday, please take your next COVID test 2-3 days before your planned travel so that you receive your test result before you travel. This may mean you are taking your test a day or two earlier than you otherwise would; this is acceptable. The state requires that any student who tests positive isolate for ten days. If you tested earlier in the week and would like to depart this weekend, you may do so provided you received a negative test result. Please remember a negative test is only one point in time and travel can increase your risk.
Travel
Today the Governor announced that all college students returning to a home in Vermont must quarantine for a minimum of 7 days followed by a negative COVID test, or 14 full days if testing is unavailable. This includes Vermont students moving from a Vermont campus to their home. If you travel home to Vermont and return to 194 St. Paul Street you will also be required to quarantine for 14 days upon return.
If you travel outside the state, we recommend a minimum 7 day quarantine followed by a negative test or a 14 day quarantine if testing is unavailable once you arrive home. You may discuss this with your primary care provider. Remember, if you travel outside of the state, you may not return until Spring Opening.
Guest & Residence Hall Event Policy
As a reflection of the Governor’s guidance and in order to maintain the health and wellness of our campus community, the College guest policy has been revised. Effective immediately: for the remainder of the semester, no guests are allowed in 194 St. Paul Street or any residence hall room. This includes individuals from other 194 St. Paul Street apartments and Main Campus residence halls. All campus events, including those hosted in residence halls, will take place virtually. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of refraining from gatherings of any size.
Surveillance Testing: November 22–January 22
Residents of 194 St. Paul Street who choose to remain in their apartments must continue to take part in weekly surveillance testing for the duration of their stay and must continue to submit their Daily Health Survey. Surveillance testing will take place in Perry Hall on Tuesdays between 9:00 AM–4:30 PM. If you miss your required weekly testing, your meal plan (if you have one) may be interrupted.
Not Feeling Well?
The Student Health Center will remain open and available to students by appointment through December 18. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please isolate yourself and record your symptoms on the Daily Health Survey. The Daily Health Survey will be monitored by Student Health staff 7 days/week from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM with the exception of November 26 (Thanksgiving Day) and December 25. Students in need of other health services may also seek consultation by appointment through December 18. Please contact the Student Health Center as needed at 802.860.2711or healthservices@champlain.edu.
The Student Health Center will be closed December 19–January 22. If you are in need of any health services after December 18, please contact your family physician or visit one of the Urgent Care Clinics listed here. In the case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
Important Reminder
While our intention is that residents of 194 St. Paul Street will be allowed to stay in their apartments through the winter break, please keep in mind that as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow nationally, regionally and in Vermont, we all will need to be prepared for a possible complete building closure. We encourage all students to begin considering a contingency plan. We will continue to monitor and adjust our plans as needed.
Wishing you a healthy holiday,
Annika Hawkins-Hilke
Champlain College Medical Director
