Campus COVID-19 Weekly Update

Nov. 19, 2020 @ 5:56 p.m.

The next COVID-19 update will be on Thursday, Dec. 3. There will not be an update on Thursday, Nov. 26.

To keep our community safe and supported this fall, we will be providing weekly updates on COVID-19-related news, resources, announcements, and more. You will also find these updates in our weekly CU Denver News e-newsletter.

For Everyone

New State Restrictions

This week, Governor Jared Polis announced a revised COVID-19 state dial. Denver is among the several counties that will be at Level Red: Severe Risk as of Friday, Nov. 20. The newly defined Level Red brings additional restrictions for the city but does not impact many operations at CU Denver. These restrictions include, but are not limited to:

  • No personal gatherings of any size. Individuals may gather only with people from their own household or residence hall suite.
  • Gyms are reduced to 10% capacity.
  • No indoor dining at restaurants; curbside, takeout, and delivery services are permitted.
  • Outdoor restaurant dining is limited to one household per table and must end at 8 p.m.

No counties in Colorado have moved to Level Purple yet, which is known as the stay-at-home level. The decision to move to this level would occur if there are critical shortages of health care resources in the community.

CU Denver’s COVID-19 team meets daily to review COVID-19 data on campus and in the community, and we are in frequent communication with public health officials. Individuals who are coming to campus continue to follow our extensive safety protocols in place, and we recently expanded free testing to all CU Denver employees, students, and members of their households. We believe these efforts have had a direct impact on our relatively low number of positive cases on campus.

At this point in time, campus operations will generally remain the same because we are allowed to stay open as a critical business.

  • In-person, remote, and online course formats in place will continue.
  • Free asymptomatic testing for all students, employees, and their households will continue through Dec. 31 at North High School. If you have tested positive in the last 14 days, please do not come in for testing.
  • Academic support services and business operations remain available with most services and programming provided remotely.
  • The Student Wellness Center will continue to operate at 10% capacity by reservation only.
  • On-campus dining options, including Lynx Crossing, will move to take-out and to-go only.
  • Employees should continue with their current work mode (in-person or remote) unless instructed otherwise by their supervisors.
  • If changes are needed to our current plan for a combination of in-person, online, and remote classes in the spring semester, we are committed to providing notification as soon as possible to support your planning.

With fall break approaching, we want to remind our employees and students to continue practicing social distancing, wearing masks, and avoiding public and private gatherings of any number of people who are not members of a single household.

Thanksgiving Holiday Travel

Per recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Colorado’s Department of Public Health & Environment, we are encouraging our campus community to stay home during the upcoming holiday and avoid any travel.

Please monitor the latest restrictions by visiting “Travel during the COVID Pandemic” guidance from the CDC, which includes links to each state’s public health department as well as guidance for international destinations.

FREE Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing for All Employees, Students, and their Households Until Dec. 31

Employees, students, and their households have access to free, asymptomatic COVID-19 testing until Dec. 31. Through our partnership with COVIDCheckColorado and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, our community has free access to mid-nasal, PCR COVID-19 tests.

If you are experiencing symptoms, do not sign up for testing in Lynx Crossing and please use the drive-through testing site at North High School, 3131 Eliot Street. Employees and students may directly sign up for an appointment and test here:

Every member of the household must sign up for an appointment through the website. Having appointments for all household members ensures that testing can occur quickly and efficiently. Expanded testing is important because it is critical to identify asymptomatic cases so those individuals can quickly be isolated and quarantined.

Reminder: Avoid Gatherings with Individuals from Outside your Household

With the holiday break approaching, we want to remind our employees and students that the city of Denver has ordered that except for approved activities, all public and private gatherings of any number of people who are not members of a single household are prohibited. In an effort to keep our CU Denver community safe, we ask you to follow these public health orders off campus.

Self-Report Your COVID-19 Symptoms or Positive Tests

You must self-report your status if you fall into any of the following groups. This is especially important in enabling us to monitor the impact of COVID-19 within the community and beyond.

  • You believe you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms.
  • You have had prolonged contact of 15 or more minutes, in close proximity of 6 feet or less, with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.
  • You are under quarantine or isolation by direction of a public health agency or medical provider, and/or awaiting test results for COVID-19.
  • You have been informed by a public health agency or a medical provider that you have tested positive or are presumptively positive for COVID-19.

If you fall into any of these groups, please take the following steps.

  1. Let the head of your unit know immediately (or your professor, if you’re a student).
  2. Do NOT come to campus
  3. You must follow CDPHE guidance   and self-quarantine for 2 weeks if you have had prolonged contact of 15 or more minutes, in close proximity of 6 feet or less, with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.  If you have a presumptive or confirmed case of COVID-19, you must isolate and follow  CDPHE guidance
  4. Contact the Auraria Health Center   at 303-615-9999.

If you know someone who needs support or are concerned about something happening in regards to COVID-19, submit a referral form  to get assistance.

Be Prepared to Go Remote for Classes and Work

In case we are required to transition to fully remote teaching and learning, we want you to be prepared. Below are tips to help you plan ahead.

Health Check-In Station Holiday Hours

North Classroom       

  • Nov. 25, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.         
  • Nov. 26 – 27, after hours       
  • Nov. 30 – Dec. 11, normal hours       
  • Dec. 14 – 23, 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.        
  • Dec. 24 – Jan. 3, after hours*
  • Jan. 4 – 15, 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 
  • Jan. 18 (Martin Luther King Day), after hours*

Business School       

  • Nov. 23 – 27, after
  • Dec. 7 – 11, Monday – Thursday, 8 – 11 a.m.                       
  • Dec. 14 – Jan. 3, after hours  
  • Jan. 4 – 14, Monday – Friday, 8 – 11 a.m.                 
  • Jan. 18 (Martin Luther King Day), after hours*

CU Denver Building        

  • Nov. 23 – Jan. 18, after hours

Student Wellness Center        

  • Nov. 23 – 25, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.             
  • Nov. 26 – 29, after hours 
  • Dec. 14 – 23, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.        
  • Dec. 24 – Jan. 1, after hours*

Lynx Crossing Residence Hall        

  • Starting Dec. 14, 7 a.m. – noon, no outside visitor check-ins will be available due to construction 

*After hours process: If it is after hours, on the weekend, or on a holiday, please complete the daily attestation and save your approval email. View a map of health check-in stations. If a health check-in station is closed, please proceed to a nearby health check-in station.

Add Your Phone to Help Fight COVID-19

CO Exposure Notifications is a free and voluntary service developed in partnership with Google and Apple that can notify users of possible exposure to COVID-19. By opting in, your Android or iPhone device will share anonymous tokens with other CO Exposure Notifications users using your phone’s Bluetooth. If another user you’ve been near tests positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period, the service will notify you. If you test positive, you can easily and anonymously notify others to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Tokens contain no personal information or location data and everything is completely anonymous. More information on how the process works and frequently asked questions can be found on the State of Colorado’s website for exposure notification

Get Your Flu Shot

We encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get a flu shot this season. Under the Affordable Care Act, if you have insurance you are able to get a flu shot for free. For those who don’t have insurance, the Health Center at Auraria is offering free flu shots on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m. Appointments are required and need to be made by phone (303-615-9997). Members of the campus community must wear masks, practice social distancing, and follow health and safety protocols.

As a reminder, we are entering flu season, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between the common cold or other illnesses and COVID-19. If you’re sick, please stay home. During this time, it’s essential to practice good hygiene. Continue to wash your hands, wear your mask indoors and outdoors if you’re coming to campus, and practice social distancing. 

Change in Dates for Spring 2021 Semester/Spring Break

Spring semester will start on Jan. 19, 2021, per its current schedule, meaning there is no delay for financial aid funding. Spring break will move from March 22 – 28 to April 19 – 25. Courses for the two following weeks will be delivered all remotely to help ensure safety after the semester break. Finals week will be May 10 – 15. A course final could be in-person for in-person and hybrid courses, if necessary. 

Take Advantage of Mental Health Resources

Caring for our mental health during these challenging times is essential. CU Denver and the Auraria campus offer a number of resources to support students, faculty, and staff in addressing their mental health needs, as well as training opportunities for how to help others. 

For everyone: 

  • Coronavirus Consultation: If you are experiencing undue stress or anxiety, or sense any type of discrimination to your presence on campus, but do not have any symptoms associated with COVID-19, we encourage you to call the Health Center at Auraria to talk to a medical professional or counselor. Simply call 303-615-9999 and indicate that you would like to schedule a “Coronavirus Consultation”. There will be no charge for this visit.
  • Lynx ConnectedFree Suicide Prevention Training & Mental Health First Aid certification (free for students, $30 for CU Denver faculty / staff)
  • 24/7 Crisis Support for all: Utilize the Colorado Crisis Services by calling 1-844-493-8255 or texting “TALK” to 38255.
  • Well-being resources for CU Denver: YOU@CUDenver

For students:

  • Counseling Center: Counseling therapy is free and available to CU Denver students at the Counseling Center. The Counseling Center is currently offering virtual telehealth sessions. Call 303-315-7270 to schedule an appointment. For after-hours support, call 303-615-9911.
  • Free online training: You Can Help a Friend 

For faculty and staff: 

For Faculty and Staff

Teaching Resources for Tumultuous Times

The Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL) is offering a number of resources for trauma-informed teaching to help you manage “high-stakes” discussions, defuse “hot moments” in the classroom, and manage any classroom questions about current societal issues and concerns. Visit the Teaching in Tumultuous Times webpage, check out the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning tip sheet “Your Classroom After the 2020 National Election,”.

Sign Up for Managing Remotely Virtual Course

Human Resources will host a virtual two-hour Managing Remotely course on skills/techniques for being successful on the following dates:

  • Nov. 30, 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Dec. 16, 9 – 11 a.m.
 There will be a capacity of 40 participants per session.
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