COVID-19 Information

June 18, 2021

Students,

As we move into the hottest weekend of the year, remember to hydrate, and keep an eye on friends and neighbors who might be susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

Testing

During summer, testing is being conducted on the Edwardsville campus Monday-Wednesday, School of Dental Medicine on Monday and at The East St. Louis campus on Tuesday.

Individuals who would like to participate in COVID testing are required to register with SHIELD Illinois to make an appointment.

Visit https://forms.office.com/r/QvChjQs6tb, to create an account and obtain an appointment. No insurance is required, and testing is free. The surveillance screening tests are on a voluntary basis. If you have already been vaccinated or are in the process of completing your vaccine, testing is permitted.

Surveillance testing continues on all three campuses with 75 tested this week. With 0 positive tests, we had a positivity rate of 0%. More information can be found on the dashboard. Surveillance screening tests are on a voluntary basis. However, to encourage participation, employees and students are selected through a random sample and invited to be tested. Those invited next week will be provided with the following incentives to participate: 

• Students
  • $5 in Cougar Bucks
  • Monthly raffle for parking hangtag FY22 
• Faculty/Staff 
  • One beverage or bakery item (not to exceed $5) at the MUC Starbucks 
  • Monthly raffle for parking hangtag FY22 

Individuals do not need to be invited to be tested. However, they will not be eligible for the incentives listed above.

Here are a few tips to get you in and out as efficiently as possible:

• Appointments should be obtained at https://forms.office.com/r/QvChjQs6tb
• Be sure that you are hydrated before your appointment by eating or drinking up to 60 minutes prior to your arrival at the testing site. Do not eat or drink in the 60 minutes prior to testing. 
• Arrive at your appointment time, so that we may maintain small groups in the testing area.

Per CDC/IDPH guidelines, if you are experiencing symptoms or believe you are a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, do not participate in this surveillance testing. Employees and students who tested positive within the last 90 days should not test. 

Finally, remember if you are feeling ill, don’t come to campus. If you are under quarantine or isolation, do not leave it early.

As always, we are proud to serve alongside you. Have an enjoyable weekend and keep cool!

Randy Pembrook, Chancellor   
Denise Cobb, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Jessica Harris, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Rachel Stack, Vice Chancellor for Advancement   
Morris Taylor, Vice Chancellor for Administration   

Jeffrey Waple, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs