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Covid-19, Flu and Respiratory Illness Protocol, Resources and Information
Current Covid-19 Guidelines
As new Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths remain low in Denver and across the state, Metropolitan State University of Denver has no mandatory Covid-19 protocols or requirements. The decision to pause the requirements was made in consultation with state and local public health officials and with input from stakeholders across campus.
The suspension includes all Covid-19 vaccine requirements for students and employees as well as any related registration holds for student non-compliance. Students and employees will no longer need to show proof of receiving the vaccine or apply for an exemption. No further action is needed from either current students or employees at this time.
If public health conditions demand, requirements may be reinstituted at any time. To safeguard your health, please stay up to date on your Covid-19 vaccinations.
As of March 1, 2024:
- There is no requirement for those testing positive, or for employees who become aware of a positive case, to call or report a positive case to the Health Center at Auraria. In response to changing guidance from public-health agencies, the Health Center at Auraria will no longer conduct contact tracing on campus.
- Students and employees who are returning to campus after any type of respiratory illness should wear a mask while on campus until all symptoms are fully resolved.
IF YOU GET SICK:
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others.
- For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness.
- Recommendations suggest returning to normal activities only when symptoms have consistently improved for at least 24 hours and the individual has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication.
- Anyone who tests positive for a respiratory virus can contact their medical provider for consultation and therapies if desired or if medically necessary. Medications may be available.
- According to the CDC, once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses. Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.
- Students and employees should report any absences to their instructor(s) and/or supervisor, as is routinely expected for all absences due to an illness. Students may return to class without a doctor’s note. according to the guidelines.
- Consider therapeutic treatments through your primary-care physician or through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Get your flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster
The Health Center at Auraria strongly recommends that all students, faculty members and staff members be fully vaccinated and boosted for Covid-19 and flu (unless medically contra-indicated).
The center provides flu and Covid-19 vaccines during the fall semester for all MSU Denver, Community College of Denver, University of Colorado Denver and Auraria Higher Education Center students, faculty members and staff members.
Roadrunner Expectations
Roadrunners should:
- Stay up to date on vaccinations and all immunizations to safeguard both personal and public health.
- Stay home when feeling ill to recover and prevent community spread.
- Contact the Health Center at Auraria with questions or concerns.
- Be kind and respectful of others, carry a mask and be prepared to wear it if asked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated March 19, 2024
Visit the Health Center at Auraria page to check vaccine availability: https://healthcenter1.com/seasonal-immunizations/
Get vaccinated, wear a more protective KN95/N95 mask, wash your hands frequently, perform a health assessment daily and do not come to campus if you have any symptoms.
If you are symptomatic or have been exposed to Covid-19, stay home until you receive test results, which should be within 48 hours.
For optimal at-home testing results, test on the second day of symptom onset.
Report positive test results immediately using the Covid-19 Positive Case Reporting Form.
Please note:
- Covid-19 testing for all students and employees will no longer be covered at 100%. Patients are asked to verify their insurance coverage to determine their cost.
- Testing and vaccination services will no longer be offered to members of the broader community unless they are family/household members of a campus constituent.
If a student or employee receives a positive Covid-19 lab result, they should notify their advisor or supervisor immediately and can seek care at the Health Center at Auraria.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others.
- For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness.
- The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.
- Anyone who tests positive for a respiratory virus can contact their medical provider for consultation and therapies if desired or if medically necessary. Medications may be available.
- According to the CDC, once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses. Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.
- Students and employees should report any absences to their instructor(s) and/or supervisor, as is routinely expected for all absences due to an illness. Students may return to class without a doctor’s note. according to the guidelines.
If an employee isn’t feeling well, but can and is willing to perform work, remote work should be considered. Employees are encouraged to work directly with their supervisors to determine an appropriate work arrangement. If the employee is unable to perform work, they may take sick leave or if the absence is Covid-19 related, employees should contact their Senior HR Partner to discuss available leave options.
Students-employees have emergency paid sick leave. The Healthy Families Workplaces Act (HFWA) is a law that requires MSU Denver to provide employees with Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL) for specified reasons related to a declared public health emergency, effective Jan. 1, 2021. MSU Denver will provide employees up to 80 hours of paid leave (prorated for a part-time employee) during the entirety of a public health emergency even if such public health emergency is amended, extended, restated or prolonged, and until four weeks after the public health emergency leave ends. This leave is provided to all employees of MSU Denver, in addition to their normal accruals of annual and sick leave, if applicable. Employees should reach out to Amanda Berry in Human Resources at [email protected] with questions.
MSU Denver will follow city, state and federal guidelines outlined by public health experts.
The University has a plan in place to move classes and operations online if necessary.
Yes.