MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Due to the continued surge of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus West Virginia University have changed some protocols.
The following changes have been announced:
- Mask policy extended through Feb. 25
- Get vaccinated and boosted, verify vaccination by Jan. 28
- Isolation release date is set at 5 days from your positive test date as long as symptoms have resolved, including fever. Followed by wearing a mask.
- Testing offered at the WVU Rec Center
- COVID-19 Dashboard updated on Wednesdays
“Despite the recent surge in cases over the past few weeks, the high rates of vaccination in our campus community has helped to minimize serious symptoms for those who have contracted the virus,” said Dr. Jeffrey Coben, dean of the School of Public Health and associate vice president for Health Affairs. “We hope and anticipate that cases will begin to decline in the days ahead. However, our state’s hospitals are operating at or above capacity, and we must continue to follow the health and safety protocols that have been instituted to keep our communities safe.”
Masks will continue to be required for everyone — regardless of vaccination status — indoors in all WVU System buildings and facilities through at least Feb. 25 when public health conditions will again be reevaluated.
Masks continue to be required for passengers on the PRT and WVU buses through March 18 under guidelines from the Transportation Security Administration.
Additionally, masks are required inside the Mountainlair, Evansdale Crossing and dining halls except when eating. Masks are also required inside the WVU Student Rec Center except when exercising.
Masks are also required in clinical and patient care areas of the Health Sciences Campuses.
WVU Medicine has updated its mask policy and is strongly encouraging non-clinical staff who do not work in patient care areas to switch to a medical-grade mask, not cloth masks, and is also no longer allowing the use of gaiters at any of its hospitals, clinics or non-clinical work sites.
Masks are also strongly encouraged, but not required indoors at WVU Athletics venues during public events.