My name is Heidi Bond, and I am the Public Health Director here in Otsego County. The community is excited for you to be back in Oneonta, and I thank you for doing your part to protect yourselves and others by getting vaccinated, masking, and taking other precautions.
The fall will be a key time for us to work hard to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The level of transmission for our county can be found on the CDC’s website. Right now, the broader community is experiencing a high level of transmission, and it is recommended that we wear masks in all public indoor settings around the county, just like you do on campus.
My office has been working closely with the college in response to the pandemic, and I'd like to share some answers to recent questions we have received.
Are there any updates to the quarantine, contact tracing and testing procedures for people who are close contacts of a COVID positive person?
Thanks to the availability of the vaccine, the procedure is different than it was last year and depends on your vaccination status.
Fully vaccinated students:
- If you are identified as a close contact of someone who is positive, you do not have to quarantine unless you have symptoms, as indicated by current CDC guidance.
- Even if you are not experiencing symptoms, you should get tested as a precaution but it is not necessary to seek a test immediately. The CDC recommends that vaccinated asymptomatic people wait 3-5 days from the exposure before getting a precautionary test, and I encourage you to take advantage of the free on-campus tests for that purpose. If you have been selected for the random testing of vaccinated students, you should still participate, as it is OK to test sooner than 3-5 days after exposure, but you should test again the next week, as well.
- If you develop symptoms, you should immediately notify the college's Quarantine and Isolation team at 607-436-2077 for assistance and advice on quarantining, then contact the college's Health Center at 607-436-3573 for help getting a diagnostic test as soon as possible. If you test positive, the county’s contact tracers will reach out to you. It is important that you follow their instructions and answer their questions to help prevent further spread.
Partially vaccinated or exempt (unvaccinated) students:
- If you are notified you have been in close contact with someone who is positive, you will be required to quarantine. Please follow the instructions from contact tracers, as well as the college's Quarantine and Isolation team.
- If you develop symptoms, please notify the Quarantine and Isolation team at 607-436-2077 or the college's Health Center at 607-436-3573 and they will assist you in getting a diagnostic test. If you test positive, the county’s contact tracers will reach out to you. It is important that you follow their instructions and answer their questions to help prevent further spread.
Are tests available to students in the community?
The college’s on-campus surveillance testing program is a wonderful service to students, and I encourage you to follow testing requirements and take advantage of this excellent resource. The saliva pool tests conducted at your testing center are among the most accurate tests available, are quick, simple and free for students. In addition to providing important information about any potential spread of COVID-19 among people who are asymptomatic on campus, this surveillance testing is key in keeping you, your friends, your communities, your neighbors, and your family safe and healthy as we have moved back to more in-person interactions and activities.
Testing is definitely key in preventing the spread of COVID, but availability off campus can be very limited, and some clinics reserve testing for only symptomatic people. You are lucky to have free testing available to you on campus, and I encourage you to take advantage of the college’s testing program if you are not experiencing symptoms and are looking for a precautionary test. If you do get a test at an off-campus clinic, or use an over-the-counter test, make sure you report the results to the college's Health Center.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID, please contact the college’s Health Center for the best advice on getting a diagnostic test as soon as possible.
The college has a strong plan to manage the impact of COVID-19, and I encourage you to keep up the good work in following the guidelines. Your dedication to health and safety is appreciated, and I hope you have a wonderful semester!
Sincerely,
Heidi Bond
Otsego County Public Health Director