ObieSafe Weekly: March 16, 2022
March 17, 2022 12:30 PM
The ObieSafe Team
ObieSafe email accounts temporarily unavailable today (March 16)
The obiesaferesults@oberlin.edu and obiesafe@oberlin.edu will be out of service during an upgrade from noon to 5 p.m. today (March 16). During the upgrade:
- If you are a student experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please contact Student Health Services directly for medical assistance at 440-775-8180 or student.health@oberlin.edu.
- If you are a student who receives a positive test result, please text AVI at 440-577-5304 to get your meal delivery started by giving them your name, T#, room # and any allergies.
- For any Obie with a positive test result, please complete the Case Information Form immediately.
Ask Terri
The guidance provided here is public health information and not medical advice.
Do you have any recommendations on how to prepare for my spring break trip?
Everyone traveling who has been vaccinated should bring their vaccination card—or a photo of the front and back of the card on their phone—with them. Follow standard infection prevention measures while traveling including washing your hands often with soap and water, or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
When making your travel plans, you may want to check the current COVID-19 situation at your destination and make sure you understand all state, tribal, local, and territorial travel restrictions, including proper mask wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine requirements.
If you are planning to travel by plane, each airline has its own requirements. Check if your airline requires any testing, vaccination, or other documents. A negative test result may be required within a certain number of hours for each flight—it could be a PCR test or a rapid test depending on the airline. You may need to make plans on how to get a test result for your return flight too.
- The Oberlin Testing Center has a schedule on the ObieSafewebsite with days of the week and times for asymptomatic persons to get a PCR test. Remember, it can take 2-3 days for the results to be returned for PCR tests, so allow time for the results to be returned to you via email before your scheduled flight.
- The Campus Safety Office can provide individuals a rapid test kit, which could be helpful if a rapid test result is accepted by the airline for one or both flights.
Indoor masking, including in vehicles, airports, and planes, is still required for our Oberlin campus community. If you are attending a conference or other big event, the event sponsor may have its own requirements.
The challenge for any traveler during COVID-19 is what you can do if you develop symptoms while on your trip or if you receive a positive test result. In this situation, you may need to revise your travel arrangements back to campus until you are able to get a negative test, and you may need a private place to stay. As always, you are encouraged to contact a medical provider for guidance on how to manage your care if you test positive for of COVID-19.
ObieSafe Summary Report for February 2022
Booster shot requirement and compliance
Effective February 18, 2022, with the start of spring semester, all students, faculty, staff and vendors are required to receive a booster shot and upload their documentation. The booster compliance rate as of March 9, 2022:
- 2,241 students, with 82 percent eligible for the booster
- 97% faculty
- 91% staff
Medical expertise added to ObieSafe team
On February 2, Terri Buzzell, MHA, MSN, RN joined the ObieSafeteam as a medical consultant. Buzzell is the director of nursing operations at Harness Health Partners.
Tests administered on campus
For spring semester, Oberlin College and Conservatory required arrival PCR testing for students, faculty and staff. The mandatory testing process scheduled from February 11-22 was enhanced with the use of individual appointments. Additionally, asymptomatic and symptomatic testing was available 7 days/week during published time periods for any student, faculty or staff member to get a test. The monthly test counts include arrival and regular testing offered on campus.
PCR tests
In February, there were 3,694 PCR tests given with 47 positive PCR test results for a 1% positivity rate. There are 11 positive rapid tests cited below which are linked to the PCR tests reported for February. In January, there were 3,311 PCR tests given with 151 positive results reported for a 4.5% positivity rate.
Antigen-rapid tests
In February, there were 85 rapid tests given at Hales Gym with 11 positive results reported for a 12% positivity rate. Given the purpose of the antigen-rapid test, a greater positivity rate is expected. In January, there 212 antigen-rapid tests given with 43 positive results reported for a 20% positivity rate.
February 14 Booster Clinic in New Russia, Ohio
There were 22 students who took advantage of the student shuttle to the nearby booster clinic. The shuttle was operated by Campus Safety staff.
Get in touch with the ObieSafe team
Have something to share in a future issue of ObieSafe Weekly? Email obiesafe@oberlin.edu with story ideas or information you’d like to have considered for publication.