COVID-19 Information

February 19, 2021

Dear Campus Community, 

Thanks to everyone, especially our Facilities Services team, for managing through this week’s wintry weather. Just remember that every day is another step closer to spring!

Please remember that the Illinois Department of Public Health still has Region 4 in Phase Four under Restore Illinois, and the implications for our campus are included in that link.

Surveillance Testing
Surveillance testing continues on all three campuses with 329 tested this week. With 1 positive test, we had a positivity rate of 0.30%. More information can be found on thedashboard. The 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. Because of the weather closures this week, those invited this week and next week will be provided with the following incentives to participate: 

Students

• $5 deposited in Cougar Bucks 
• Monthly raffle for parking hangtag FY22 
• One end-of-semester raffle for a Fall FY22 tuition waiver 

Faculty/Staff 

• $5 deposited in Cougar Bucks 
• 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 on the AURA app or at https://app.auratracker.org/
• Be sure that you are hydrated before your appointment by eating or drinking up to 30 minutes prior to your arrival at the testing site​. Do not eat or drink in the 30 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.

Vaccination Information Update 
The Madison County Health Department is currently in Phases 1A and 1B of the IDPH Vaccination Plan. These phases include the following prioritized populations: 

• Phase 1A: Healthcare Personnel and Long-Term Care Facilities 
• Phase 1B: Essential Frontline Workers and Adults 65 and Older 

If you live or work in Madison County and are eligible for Phase 1A or Phase 1B, you may want to access their scheduling portal.

For information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including links to vaccine registration throughout the Metro East, please visit the SIUE Coronavirus vaccine webpage.   

SIUE continues to advocate with Madison County Health Department (MCHD) for on-campus vaccine access for members of the campus community eligible in Phases 1A and 1B, including our desire to host future on-ground vaccination clinics. 

February Town Hall Video Available
Thanks to all who contributed to and participated in the February COVID Town Hall earlier this week. The Town Hall video is now available on the SIUE COVID Campus Updates site. 

Our next two live COVID Town Halls are scheduled for Friday, March 19 and Friday, April 23 at 8:30 a.m. The webinars will share COVID-related updates. Questions may be submitted in advance to chancellor@siue.edu.  

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

Please continue to practice grace with one another and with yourselves. We are proud to serve with you.

Best wishes for a warmer weekend,

Randy Pembrook, Chancellor   
Denise Cobb, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs   
Rachel Stack, Vice Chancellor for Advancement   
Morris Taylor, Vice Chancellor for Administration   
Jeffrey Waple, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs