Weekly Testing Update – March 11, 2021

Dear FSU Community,

The University administered 787 COVID19 tests on Monday and Tuesday this week, resulting in 1 positive. Contact tracing of close contacts began immediately. All of our latest data is now viewable on our COVID19 Dashboard.

You will notice the dashboard has a new category. We now include student self-reported positive cases with a 7-day and 30-day metric. As with positive cases identified through our internal testing program, the Health Center does contact tracing to identify any on-campus close contacts for self-reported positives.

As I'm sure many of you are aware, the CDC put out long-awaited interim public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people this week, saying they may:

  • Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  • Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  • Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic (any fully vaccinated students must still participate in our mandatory testing program through the end of the semester)

While this guidance is welcome news for all of us anxious to visit friends and loves ones indoors, please note that for the purpose of our campus, it does not change anything about our safety guidance through the end of this semester. All those who are fully vaccinated should continue to wear face masks indoors and outdoors at FSU. The guidance specifically states that the fully vaccinated should also continue to:

  • Follow guidance issued by individual employers
  • Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings
  • Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations

Still, the guidance is an exciting reminder that vaccinations offer us a chance for a return to normalcy in the near future. That is why we strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. As the state continues its vaccination rollout, various groups on campus will become eligible at different times, depending on their jobs. We will be notifying these groups directly as their eligibility approaches.

For more information on vaccines, including who is currently eligible, how you can sign up, and locations where you can get vaccinated, visit the state's website. Starting on Friday, March 12, everyone will be able to preregister for a vaccine and be notified when they are eligible and an appointment is available.

As always, keep wearing your masks, practicing good hygiene and social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings. Monitor your health daily, and if you are showing any symptoms, no matter how mild, you should contact the Health Center.

Stay safe,

Javier