Tag: Testing

COVID-19 testing protocols changing

With COVID-19 risk levels declining in the communities OLLU serves, low positivity rates on our campuses and changing protocols from Curative, the university’s testing provider, OLLU is making changes to COVID-19 testing requirements. Curative has announced it is no longer testing asymptomatic individuals. Therefore:

•Students will no longer be required to test on a regular basis; testing is required if students have symptoms or close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual.
•The Curative testing site in the UWAC is now closed; anyone with symptoms or close contact can test at the Curative site in Lot K or with other local providers.
•Observed, quick tests are available in the Health Education Resource Office for urgent situations. Call the office at 210-431-3919.
•Employees who have not submitted proof of vaccination will continue testing on a regular basis and will receive updated instructions on the new OSHA emergency temporary standard in the coming weeks.
•Students, faculty, staff and visitors to OLLU campuses are still required to wear masks when indoors or unable to isolate.
•Students, faculty and staff are still required to report COVID-19 illness or close contact by submitting a Self-Report Form
•Students and employees who have not yet done so are still encouraged to submit proof of vaccination here.  

The university will continue to monitor the situation and will update protocols as conditions change.

Save the Date: Dec. 3 vaccine clinic
OLLU will hold a vaccine clinic on the San Antonio campus on Dec. 3 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Pfizer vaccines, boosters and pediatric vaccines will be available. The flu shot also will be available, but recipients must provide their health insurance card.

OLLU introduces changes to COVID testing program

With a decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in our area, OLLU is introducing changes to its COVID-19 Testing Program. Read below for an overview of OLLU’s plans going forward. OLLU awaits the publication of OSHA’s regulations related to President Biden’s vaccination announcement for employers with 100 or more employees. The university will continue to monitor the situation and will make adjustments as they become necessary.

Who Needs to Test
▪ Students and employees who have not submitted proof of vaccination will be required to test on a regular basis. Weekly testing will not be required. Individuals will receive an email with instructions when it is time to test.

▪ Students and employees who did submit proof of vaccination will not be required to test. On occasion, a random group of individuals in this category will be invited to take part, on a voluntary basis, in monitor testing that assists with tracking breakthrough cases.

When to Test 
▪ When it’s a student or an employees’ turn to test, they will receive an email from ConquerCovid@ollusa.edu with instructions. Individuals needing to test will receive an email the week before the test is required.

▪ Employees can test during the workday.

Where to Get Tested
▪ San Antonio-based students and employees can test on campus. The OLLU testing site is located at the University Wellness and Activities Center (UWAC), Room 112, formerly the Health Services Office. If you are selected to test, you will receive an email with date/times when you can test.

▪ Students and employees from the RGV and Houston campuses will be provided with specific instructions on testing options.

▪ If an employee tests at the OLLU site, he/she will be asked to wait 15 minutes at the UWAC for their results.

▪ Individuals may elect to test at a testing site outside of OLLU, but home tests will not be accepted.

o If an employee or student plans on testing elsewhere, he/she must let the University know.

o If employees or students test at a different site, they will be asked to submit their test results by a specified deadline.

o Details on this will be included in the email that is sent to the employee or student.

Exemptions
Students or employees do not have to test if:

▪ They tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days.

▪ They are currently in quarantine or isolation.

▪ They are not working, living, taking classes or participating in activities on campus.

▪ They provided proof of vaccination. Students and employees who have not yet done so can still submit proof of vaccination here.

If an employees or students receive an email asking them to test and they meet either of these exemptions, they will be asked to let the COVID team know.

COVID-19 Cases at OLLU
The number of active cases at OLLU and in San Antonio continues to improve. As of Sept. 22, there are only two active cases reported. The university would like to thank every student and employee who has responded to requests to test for COVID-19 and everyone who has followed the safety guidelines. The university’s success is a direct result of everyone’s efforts.

Reminder: Masks Still Required
OLLU continues to require masks/face coverings for all individuals on campus – vaccinated and unvaccinated. Face coverings must be worn in classrooms, hallways, meeting spaces and other common areas where individuals cannot isolate or social distance.

COVID-19 vaccine/testing update

A special thank you to all who have submitted their COVID-19 vaccine records so far. More than 78% of faculty and 64% of staff have voluntarily submitted vaccine records. Among students, 53% have already submitted their records. Records are still being accepted and can be uploaded through the link below. Students who submit their COVID-19 vaccine record will receive a $100 Amazon.com gift card. Gift cards will be distributed through an Amazon e-link sent to the student’s OLLU email account once vaccine records have been verified. A notice will go out when gift cards are being distributed.

 Submit vaccine record here

All students living in the residence halls have submitted a COVID-19 vaccine record or testing records. Student-athletes also are submitting vaccine or testing records as part of their on-boarding.

Individual notices are going out with information about required testing to all students, faculty and staff who have not submitted COVID-19 vaccine records and who are attending classes, living, working or attending events on campus.