COVID-19 Reentry Testing Update — Dec. 31, 2021

Published Dec 31, 2021 by
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As we prepare to return to campus for the Spring 2022 semester, we continue to monitor local, state and national COVID-19 infection rates. We are encouraged that data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that vaccinations and boosters are working to lessen the severity of COVID-19 illness in those fully vaccinated as the highly contagious Omicron variant moves through the United States.

I am confident we will navigate the initial increase of positive COVID-19 cases this spring as we did at the beginning of Fall 2021. That success was due to all of Pirate Nation masking, following our community standards and bringing our campus vaccination rate up to 80%. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for you to get vaccinated and to receive your booster as soon as you are eligible. We know there will be cases on campus as students and employees return. ECU’s COVID Coordination Committee will continue to follow the guidance of our local and state health officials and adjust plans as necessary.

Before the end of the fall semester, two important communications were distributed to the ECU community. An all-campus message detailed our plan to stay the course with our current COVID-19 mitigations as we return to campus. And a message from Student Affairs detailed testing requirements for students. This memo updates some of that information.

Our mitigation efforts will remain largely unchanged from the fall semester. As we begin the new semester, face coverings will be required in all indoor spaces on campus for students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

If you have not yet been vaccinated or would like to receive a booster, vaccinations are available on campus through ECU Student Health Services or the ECU Family Practice Pharmacy. Public health experts and physicians stress that vaccinations and a booster are the best defense against COVID-19, including the Omicron variant.

This message is to update you on some additional measures to help keep our community safe.

Broadening of Reentry Testing

If you are a residential student (living on campus), regardless of vaccination status, you will need to participate in reentry testing before the start of the Spring 2022 semester.

If you are an unvaccinated student or employee, you will need to participate in reentry testing before the start of the Spring 2022 semester. This includes individuals participating in on-campus activities. For example, if you are an unvaccinated student and live off campus but have on-campus classes or labs, you will need to participate in reentry testing.

Human Resources will directly contact unvaccinated employees enrolled in the surveillance testing program since the timing of their testing may need to be updated from the previously communicated surveillance testing schedule.

Reentry testing dates/times:

  • Main Campus Student Center Ballrooms
    • Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 (12:30 to 3 p.m.)
    • Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
    • Monday, Jan. 10 – Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 (9 a.m.to 3 p.m.)
  • Mako Testing Site (old FedEx Building across from the Main Campus Student Center)
    • Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 – Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
    • Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 – Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
    • Monday, Jan. 10 – Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
  • Testing method: Nasopharyngeal PCR
  • Employees and off-campus students who are fully vaccinated or in a 90-day window from a recent positive COVID test and have provided this information to the university will not be subject to reentry testing requirements.
  • SHS staff will be onsite to offer COVID/flu vaccines and help students upload vaccine cards.
  • Outside lab COVID tests will not be accepted for reentry testing.
  • Consequences of not testing for students will include deactivation of PirateIDs and 1Card access to buildings. Employees who do not comply will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the testing non-compliance matrix.

Surveillance testing will continue in the spring semester for students who have not been exempted from testing and for employees who have attested to being unvaccinated.

University leaders remain in contact with the UNC System and the Pitt County Health Department as we monitor local conditions. Please visit the Return of Pirate Nation website for updates. Residential students with questions regarding testing requirements can email campuslivingcovid@ecu.edu and students living off campus can email ecustudentcovidtesting@ecu.edu. Employees can message covidvaccination@ecu.edu.

We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we start the new semester.

— Philip G. Rogers, Chancellor