Updated Guidelines, Enhanced Testing and Getting Vaccinated  

We hope you are safe and warm in yet another winter snowstorm.

As reported last week, many public health statistics continue to improve. The transmission rate remains below 1, although it has risen in the past several days.

Over 1.5 million vaccinations have been administered in the state, with a goal of inoculating 4.7 million people by the end of June. The availability of vaccine doses will most likely determine whether that goal is met.

However, Governor Murphy made clear he is not yet ready to significantly loosen existing guidelines. He cites the increased spread of the "U.K. variant" in the state and resultant uncertainty. "But for the variant, I think we would be planning right now a much more ... fulsome series of steps to reopen over the next few weeks," the Governor noted during a recent coronavirus update. Murphy did remind residents of the continued importance of good health and safety practices.

Enhanced Testing Underway Across All Three Campuses

Expanded surveillance testing has been implemented at all three campuses. We are grateful to all the students for their participation. As a reminder, please get tested at the time indicated; if you are unable to make your time or believe you may qualify for an exemption, please contact us.

We continue to adjust the testing processes to take into account the unique nature of each of our three campuses.

Beyond third party surveillance testing, our own Health Services has conducted over 9,000 tests since July – for students residing on campus and off.

Remember that testing is one part of an overall health and wellness strategy. A negative test does not relieve anyone from adhering to good hygiene practices designed to keep ourselves and all those around us well. Please continue to follow the Seton Hall Pledge.

Vaccination information

Click here to learn when you will be eligible for the vaccine. Please carefully check the guidelines; you may be eligible earlier than you realize.

In addition to the state's vaccination web site, you can find valuable vaccination information through each of the state's county web sites. Note that the state site is a pre-registration, designed to help you know when you are eligible. It does not register you to receive the vaccination.

Here is a list of the vaccination sites throughout the state.

Essex County has received high marks for its vaccination process. You can learn more at the Essex County COVID site.

Keeping Ourselves and Each Other Healthy

New Jersey strongly discourages all non-essential interstate travel at this time.

Remember to use #CampusClear every day, whether coming to campus or not. We have created a COVID-19 Calculator as a useful tool to help determine time in quarantine or isolation and a 90-day calculator for those who previously tested positive and want to determine when they may be susceptible to reinfection.

Students: remember that Health Services offers a wide array of testing and other health and safety services. They are here to help you. In addition to the existing surveillance testing, students may request to be tested as frequently as once per week.

The CDC invites you to learn more about Improving How Your Mask Protects You.

The University's Health Services and Human Resources work closely with local and state health officials on contact tracing. This provides an added layer of notification as both the University and state contact tracers reach out to impacted individuals. University contact tracers received training through Johns Hopkins. To learn more, the CDC provides guidance about contact tracing and who is considered a "close contact." The University has not experienced any cases of in-classroom transmission.

Your health and safety remain paramount in Seton Hall's planning and actions. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please contact the HICT here.

Shawna Cooper-Gibson, Ed.D.
Vice President of Student Services

Matthew Borowick '89/MBA '94
Vice President of University Relations

Co-chairs, Health Intervention and Communication Team

Categories: Health and Medicine