Help keep each other healthy

TO: All Campus
FROM: COVID-19 Task Force

Dear PLU Community,

As we enter the Spring Semester we have some reminders for you to help us keep the PLU Community healthy.

We will be updating our COVID-19 testing opportunities. All on-campus testing for healthy individuals, whether required or encouraged to test, takes place primarily in AUC 133 (walk-in only, no appointment necessary). This testing is for close contacts and those who may be asymptomatic. Testing is available for students, faculty and staff.

If you have any symptoms: Students should contact the Health Center for evaluation and testing. Faculty and staff should contact their health provider for evaluation and testing. Follow the Flowchart to see what steps you should take.

February schedule:

• Monday, Feb. 7 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | AUC 133
• Tuesday, Feb. 8 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | AUC 133
• Thursday, Feb. 10 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | AUC CK Hall
• Friday, Feb. 11 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | AUC CK Hall
• Monday, Feb. 14 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | AUC CK Hall
• Tuesday, Feb. 15 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | AUC CK Hall
• Thursday, Feb. 17 | 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | AUC 133
• Friday, Feb. 18 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | AUC 133

Starting Wednesday, Feb. 9 Curative PCR testing will be available in the Health Center parking lot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday at no charge.

Curative PCR Testing Schedule (starting Feb. 9)

• Monday-Friday | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m | Health Center parking lot

Minimizing our exposure to COVID-19 starts with care for ourselves and our community.

We’re providing KN95 masks at PLU. As supplies continue to come in, we are distributing throughout campus, including in pick-up locations in Campus Safety and the Old Main Market.

As new variants continue to emerge, experts are recommending upgrading protective mask options, such as surgical and KN95 masks to help contain airborne particles.

Updating your booster status within 14 days of your eligibility helps lower your risk of contracting debilitating forms of COVID-19, and also helps limit exposure to the virus for others in the PLU community. It is our best tool in minimizing outbreaks.

We encourage you to take the step to get a booster when you are eligible to receive a booster.

It is important to actively test when it is recommended. Knowing your COVID-19 status helps limit everyone’s exposure to the virus and reduces the spread within our community. Refer to the testing section above for more information.

Find out about testing at PLU

• If you test positive for COVID-19 you may be required to isolate for 5 or more days, depending on your vaccination and booster status.
• If you are identified as a close contact and are not up-to-date on your vaccination and booster, you may be required to quarantine.

Although inconvenient, taking the necessary steps to limit community exposure helps the whole community and allows us to better support the needs of those who test positive  so they can get well and return to their everyday activities.

Find Guidance with our Flowchart

Students, faculty and staff should get their booster within 14 days of eligibility. Once you have received your booster please submit documentation in three easy steps:

3 Steps to Upload Vaccination Verification

1. Go to our Etrieve Portal website
   1. Student Form*
   2. Employee Form
2. Enter your PLU ePass login username and password
3. Follow the steps to indicate vaccination booster status and upload your documents (please note that verification takes approximately ten business days).

* If you are student employee you only need to submit through the Student Form

If you have received your vaccination in Washington state you can obtain a digital COVID-19 vaccination record through the Washington State Health Department verification website.

The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department will be running COVID Vaccine Clinics on the PLU campus through the end of February. The clinics are open to the public.

Clinic Schedule: through February

• Wednesdays | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Columbia Center
• Saturdays | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Columbia Center

The Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available for 1st shots, 2nd shots and boosters.

The clinics are walk-in only, no pre-registration required, except for children ages 5-11 years old for the Pfizer vaccine.

Vaccine Clinics

To help keep ourselves and each other healthy, it is important to not ignore COVID-related symptoms such as a  new cough, fever, sore throat and/or body aches that cannot clearly be attributed to another source and that you might consider the beginning of a cold. Please do your part and  stay home until you can speak to a healthcare provider and arrange for a test, either on-campus or through local providers, and follow guidelines to reduce the spread. Speak with with your professors and supervisors who can help you identify ways to manage commitments and responsibilities.

We can all help keep our community healthy by being mindful of how we feel, and by using the tools and processes we have available to take the necessary steps to keep each other healthy.

In Community,

Teri Phillips
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
COVID-19 Site Supervisor

Shawn Thompson
Associate Director of Emergency Programs
COVID-19 Task Force Coordinator

Michelle Ceynar
Dean of Social Sciences
Professor of Psychology

Mike Snyder
Director of Athletics and Recreation

Chris Albert
Director of Web Development & Design