Omicron Variant
We are monitoring the new variant, Omicron, with concern that it may impact our Spring semester. Omicron has already been detected in 20 plus countries (including the US) and there is growing unease over the number of possible mutations. However, there are still many unknowns with this new variant, so we will continue to gauge its potential impact in the US and in the Ohio Valley. After Winter break, we anticipate a couple of changes to what we are currently doing to battle COVID-19 and its variants.
Vaccines & Boosters
With that being said, the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones this holiday season is to get vaccinated. Vaccines are free and readily available, so please consider taking this important step if you (or a loved one) haven’t already been vaccinated.
Although the vaccines work well, there is diminishing protection as time goes on. If you were vaccinated six months ago or longer, I urge you to get your booster shot for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine now. If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccination, you need to a booster shot two months after your vaccination. Getting a booster will help continue to keep you safe against COVID-19 and its variants.
Omicron makes it more important than ever to get vaccinated and/or boosted.
Updated Guidelines for Spring 2022
Starting in January, we will require all students and employees to be fully vaccinated or get tested weekly. The Task Force decided to share this now, providing everyone with ample time to adapt to this new guideline. The spring semester starts on Tuesday, January 18.
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Staff should submit their Vaccine Record Card or a negative test result no later than January 7th.
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Faculty and students should submit their Vaccine Record Card or a negative test result no later than January 14th.
As of right now, all COVID precautions that Northern currently has in place will remain the same including indoor masks, social distancing, etc. We will continue to do everything we can to keep our Northern community safe, while maintain an engaging learning environment.
