Fall 2020 Return-to-Campus #12 – Testing and Contact Tracing

Thursday, Aug 27, 2020

FAU’s comprehensive  Re-Opening Plan for the Fall 2020 semester  includes a detailed  virus testing program and contact tracing protocol  to promote a healthy and safe learning and working environment. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to review the details in this email and the additional information on the dedicated  COVID-19 website .

TESTING

Student Health Services  (SHS) on the Boca Raton, Davie and Jupiter campuses offers COVID-19 viral testing for all students, faculty and staff. Priority is given to those exhibiting signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and for asymptomatic individuals with recent known or suspected COVID-19 exposure.

To make an appointment for testing, call one of the three campus SHS clinic locations:

- Boca Raton: 561-297-3512
- Davie: 954-236-1556
- Jupiter: 561-799-8678

The Boca Raton SHS office also offers walk-up testing for asymptomatic individuals Thursday through Monday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., in the Owls Care Classroom, located in Building 8, Room 222A. Individuals with symptoms are not permitted to have testing at the walk-up site unless they have been referred by a member of the FAU SHS clinical team.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or suspected exposure, Protect Your Owl Family and get tested by a healthcare provider.  All members of the FAU community should contact SHS if you:

- Receive a positive COVID-19 test from another healthcare provider;
- Are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19; or
- Have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19 symptoms.

Knowledge of positive tests, symptoms and/or individuals with direct exposure to those with the virus allows SHS to begin contact tracing protocols.

CONTACT TRACING

Contact tracing is the process used to identify those who encounter people who have tested positive for COVID-19. According to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , contact tracing is a core disease control measure employed as a key strategy for preventing further spread.

FAU has collaborated with the  Florida Department of Health  (FDOH), and local county health departments, to establish processes and to assist in tracing contacts internal to the FAU community. SHS oversees contact tracing for FAU-related cases. FAU’s clinical staff or contact tracing staff perform all contact tracing for students, faculty and staff in collaboration with the FDOH, which performs the contact tracing for those outside the FAU community.

Specific protocols for testing and contact tracing are available in the  re-opening plan , pages 20-23, with additional details posted within the  campus safety  page of the  FAU COVID-19 website .

Remember to follow all guidelines of the  Protect Your Owl Family   health and safety plan . Students, faculty and staff are  required to wear face coverings at all times when on FAU campuses , both inside and outside buildings; do not overcrowd spaces; maintain physical distancing of at least six feet; wipe down work stations; wash your hands or use hand sanitizer; and stay home if you are feeling sick.

General questions related to the COVID-19 situation should be directed to  FAUCOVID19@fau.edu . All feedback will be shared with applicable departments across the FAU campuses to ensure adjustments, as necessary.