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COVID-19 Weekly Campus Update
Attention NJCU Community:
With the rise in COVID-19 cases in our state and nationally, beginning this week, we are going to be providing a weekly update on cases within our community and pertinent information to our campus — while also distributing important updates from the city, county and state. The following communication is in addition to the campus-wide update distributed earlier this week.
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NJCU Updates
As of November 20, 2020, there have been 31 total positive cases within the NJCU community since September 1, among more than 6,150 reported administered tests per Diligent Urgent Care. There were (19) new cases reported during the week of November 14-20 — eight (8) faculty/staff and 11 students — but only one (1) case among the 11 students was reported in NJCU's three residence halls. We continue to document reported cases on our COVID-19 website dashboard at least once per week, the timing of which is at the recommendation of the Health Department.
NJCU's COVID-19 dashboard currently includes those participating in all diagnostic/contact-traced testing and, starting the first week of December, will also consist of Surveillance Testing data. We explain this reinforced testing approach below.
Surveillance TestingOur community's health and safety is our priority as we continue operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, NJCU's campus reopening plan has been successful. We have worked with the State of New Jersey and the Jersey City Health Department to create and execute an effective strategy to identify, contain, and limit the extent of COVID-19 infections. Our approach's critical component has been targeted at testing our student population — to find and isolate COVID-19 cases to protect our students and our NJCU community. These extensive testing protocols are ongoing and are being refined as we adjust to new information, new tools, and cases, with a significant increase in the number of individuals being tested.
Beginning December 2, NJCU will utilize a targeted testing approach called Surveillance Testing for specified groups of employees and students working and learning on campus. This approach will help detect asymptomatic occurrences of infection and prevent further transmission by enabling contact tracing. It will also provide additional guidance about self-isolation and health precautions. Our testing strategy's risk-assessment focus means that testing will not be required or recommended for all employees or students. The university COVID Response Team will determine which groups of students or employees should be recommended and/or required to complete testing through the NJCU COVID-19 testing program.
With the new on-campus surveillance testing in partnership with Clinical Staffing Solutions, along with daily health monitoring, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine procedures, NJCU has exceeded state and local guidelines with proactive measures to keep our community at large safe and healthy.
TestingAdditionally, NJCU has partnered with Diligent Urgent Care to provide COVID screenings, testing, and education for our NJCU campus. The screening by a health professional is not the same as a COVID test, but depending on your conversation, you may be advised to get tested. All students are required to go through the telemedicine platform to get a health evaluation and will receive educational materials to assist you with your risk-level and knowledge to keep yourself and others safe.
To schedule your Telemed visit: CLICK HERE
Should you have any questions or need assistance, please:
Please visit our NJCU COVID website for more information on how to schedule your appointment and information regarding frequently asked questions.
AthleticsOut of an abundance of caution, all NJCU team activities, including practices and trainings, are suspended until at least Wednesday, December 2.
Social ResponsibilitySuccessfully dealing with the pandemic requires the shared responsibility of each and every one of us. All of us in the state of New Jersey must follow all state and local public health requirements to ensure our community's well-being. Thank you for helping to ensure the safety and continued work of NJCU. For more information, please visit the NJCU COVID-19 responsibility statement.
Part of keeping our community safe is by reporting COVID concerns. Please use the COVID Concern Report to alert the COVID response team of a possible infection or any concerns regarding the utilization of our established safety protocols.
Procedures for Reporting CasesCities and countries that have successfully lowered their case load have three things in common – everyone wears a mask, stays six (6) feet or more away from others, and quickly reports cases to the right individuals. Our procedure for reporting cases at NJCU is clear and was developed with direct guidance from the health department. If you believe you have been exposed, isolate immediately and contact your primary care physician or schedule an appointment with Telemed as outlined above.
If you test positive, the following procedure is to be followed by the NJCU Community.
Step 1 is initial notification of the responsible reporting contact — typically the Dean of Students office and/or the Health & Wellness Center for students, depending upon if they are on or off campus, while faculty/staff will contact their direct supervisor. Step 2 is where contact tracing becomes essential to limit the spread of the virus.
If an individual reports being positive, those persons who are identified as close contacts (individuals who have been within six (6) feet for over 10 minutes of the sick individual) are contacted by the university's contact tracer through the following process: the NJCU COVID Response Team is alerted of an active case within our community; contact tracing is immediately mobilized; NJCU activates its contact tracing and notification protocol (detailed in the chart below) and determines action steps required as it relates to the necessary quarantining of impacted students and staff. The contact tracer is responsible for contacting the appropriate individuals and determining who needs to quarantine and who does not. Unless you are contacted directly, there is no cause for alarm. In order to protect the confidentiality of individuals and their privacy rights under HIPPA, the names of anyone who tests positive cannot be disclosed.
Spring SemesterNJCU is continuing to plan for increased opportunities for in-person, on-campus learning this spring. As we navigate the complexities as a result of the continued COVID-19 pandemic, we are continuing to evaluate the learning modalities for the spring and will update them as needed.
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Hudson County Updates
Hudson County TestingHudson County operates a COVID-19 testing center at Hudson Regional Hospital, located at 55 Meadowlands Pkwy, Secaucus N.J. 07904, with support from the Hudson Regional Health Commission Hudson County Medical Reserve Corps. This drive-thru COVID-19 testing is by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 201-388-1097. Flu shots are now offered when getting a COVID-19 test. For additional information, click here.
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State of New Jersey UpdatesGovernor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 196, lowering indoor and outdoor gathering limits. Effective Tuesday, November 17, at 6 a.m., the indoor gathering limit decreased from 25 to 10 people. The outdoor gathering limit will reduce from 500 people to 150 people, effective Monday, November 23, at 6 a.m. While these guidelines will not change NJCU's current operations, non-academic events will now be limited to 10 people. To assist in planning for upcoming on-campus events, the university has created an event request form. Simply stated, if you are considering an event on campus, you must receive approval from your direct supervisor and divisional vice president and then fill out the survey.
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| NJCU COVID-19 Reporting Expectations
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Preparing for ThanksgivingDuring this time of year, we reflect on all the things for which we are grateful. While celebrations may look a little different this year, the things we treasure will be particularly prominent in our hearts. While finding the joy during the holiday season, please remember the need to remain vigilant, adhere to the recommended CDC safety guidelines and take mask-wearing seriously, remain attentive to frequent handwashing and ensure physical distancing.
For residential students returning home for the semester break, and for all other students, faculty and staff, please review the following guidance from the American College Health Association (ACHA):
- ALL students, faculty, and staff who may be exposed to COVID-19, including those who test negative for the virus, should quarantine for 14 days.
- If you plan to travel, please remember that you MUST quarantine before leaving and upon return. Please visit the NJ COVID Information Hub for more information.
- Residential students who travel out of state MUST alert the NJCU Residential Life Office regarding travel plans. They must be quarantined for 14-days upon return and must have a negative PCR screening before being cleared to return to campus.
- Residential students and student-athletes will be required to have a negative COVID screening before returning to campus. The Division of Student Affairs will be working with our students to offer testing, isolation procedures, and tips for remaining safe during our break.
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Safe Campus
To learn more about our safety precautions and all plans for a safe return to teaching, learning, living, and working, please visit njcu.edu/safecampus.
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