DuBois

Penn State DuBois takes steps to mitigate COVID-19 as remote learning approaches

Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

DUBOIS, Pa. — As positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise across the state and the country, Penn State DuBois is taking measures to help mitigate the spread of the virus in local communities. Full remote learning begins on Nov. 20, allowing students to stay home following the Thanksgiving break and through the holiday season.

Voluntary departure testing is being provided by the University at no cost to students, with DuBois students strongly encouraged to schedule a time to receive their test kits HERE on Nov. 16 and 17.

Information and resources have been provided through the DuBois COVID Resources page. Though some students may live near the campus community permanently and may not leave over the holidays, they are also encouraged to receive a test kit during the allotted time. Students are asked to test at least three days before their scheduled departure, as the turnaround time for results will be approximately 48 hours from the time a test is received at the lab.

These actions are part of Penn State’s multilayered approach to containing the spread of COVID-19. Having a test on record this November will allow for a greater understanding of the health of the University population and help prepare for the spring semester’s testing plan.

The University talks regularly with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which has reviewed departure plans to minimize cases within the commonwealth and beyond. Test results are only used for contact tracing and providing appropriate support services to students. The University is required to report positive test results to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Any student who tests positive for the virus is placed in isolation, and, through systematic University contact tracing, close contacts of the infected individuals are identified and must remain in quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the infected individual. 

More information is available at https://virusinfo.psu.edu/return-home

Last Updated November 11, 2020