FALL 2023 COVID-19 INFORMATION

Home FALL 2023 COVID-19 INFORMATION

ACPHS VACCINATION POLICY

All students and employees are strongly recommended to get one updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.

Some academic experiences or programs, including clinical settings, study abroad or internships, may require COVID-19 vaccination for eligibility to participate. The College also reserves the right to modify its medical and vaccination requirements based on the public health situation, Centers for Disease Controls guidelines, or New York State Department of Health directives. The College will actively review changes in the public health environment and make evidence-based decisions in response to further developments. 

MASK PROTOCOL

ACPHS does not require face coverings but provides a supportive environment where individuals may choose to wear face coverings based on personal risk or preference. When choosing a face covering, it is most important to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator correctly that is comfortable for you and that provides good protection. Masks and respirators (such as N-95 or KN-95) offer higher levels of protection than others.

CAMPUS QUARANTINE and ISOLATION POLICIES

At a minimum, ACPHS is following CDC guidelines, but the College reserves the right to implement additional safety measures on a case-by-case basis. 

The first point of contact for symptomatic, exposures, or positive at-home tests for students is AlbanyWellnessCenter@acphs.edu. Student Affairs will coordinate absence notifications and instructions through this e-mail address. Employees should contact their supervisors for absences.

If an individual is symptomatic, regardless of vaccination status:

  • Students
    • E-mail AlbanyWellnessCenter@acphs.edu regarding your status or call 518-292-1917 to determine if a test is needed
      • If test is negative, resume normal activities
      • If test is positive, follow the isolation instructions below. Wear a well-fitting mask around all individuals including household members for 10 days. A high-quality mask (e.g., N-95, KN-95 or KF-94) is recommended.
  • Employees
    • Contact your primary care provider to determine if a test is needed
      • If test is negative, resume normal activities
      • If test is positive, follow the isolation instructions below. Wear a well-fitting mask around all individuals including household members for 10 days. A high-quality mask (e.g., N-95, KN-95 or KF-94) is recommended.

If individual is exposed to a COVID-positive individual:

  • Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19
  • If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested (see instructions above)
  • Recommend wearing a well-fitting mask around all individuals, including household members, for 10 days. A high-quality mask (e.g., N-95, KN-95 or KF-94) is recommended
  • Get tested 5 full days (day 6) after exposure to determine if you have an asymptomatic infection
  • This includes living with a COVID-positive individual

Isolation instructions for individuals who test COVID-positive regardless of vaccination status:

  • Contact the AlbanyWellnessCenter@acphs.edu (students) or your primary care provider (employees) regarding your status. 

  • Students e-mail AlbanyWellnessCenter@acphs.edu your test results or if you took a self-test, you also must label your test with the date, time, and your full name. In addition, include a photo ID, i.e. ACPHS Campus ID card or state driver’s license

  • Fully isolate at home for 5-days
    • Stay alone and isolate yourself from others.
    • Do not share bathrooms
    • Have meals brought to the room, do not enter into the common spaces
    • You can end isolation after 5 full days (day 6) if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, your other symptoms have improved, and you send in a negative antigen test.
    • You may end isolation after 10 full days (day 11) without testing as long as your symptoms have diminished
  • Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around all individuals including household members for 10 days total. A high-quality mask (e.g., N-95, KN-95 or KF-94) is recommended.