COVID-19 Information

February 26, 2021

Dear Campus Community, 

After last week’s winter blast, this week’s more spring-like days have been a welcome boost to everyone. We’ve sensed a tone of optimism and relief. Nevertheless, we must remain resolute in our safe practices in regard to COVID-19.

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 812 tested this week. With 2 positive tests, we had a positivity rate of 0.25%. More information can be found on the dashboard. 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.

First Raffle Winners

Congratulations to our first winners of the Surveillance testing monthly raffle for a FY22 parking hangtag:

• Student: Ava Ploeckelman, Arts & Sciences Junior
• Employee: Dwayne Price, IT Support Associate 

Vaccination Survey and Info Update

There is still time to complete the SIUE Interest Only Survey.

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

Please review yesterday’s University update regarding vaccine accessibility here.

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   
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