TO: University of Idaho Employees and Students
FROM: Scott Green, President
Torrey Lawrence, Provost and Executive Vice President
DATE: Jan. 24, 2022
SUBJECT: Remain Vigilant as Omicron Spreads
There is no doubt Omicron is sweeping through the state, and through our university. Cases appear to be following the national trend — those who are vaccinated and boosted are not as sick. We encourage you to get vaccinated. If you are vaccinated, get boosted. Clinics are available on the Moscow campus and are readily available around the state.
If you are symptomatic, the university has a new and limited supply of rapid home tests available for distribution with a VandalCard from noon to 2 p.m. daily at the Student Recreation Center, east entrance. Because of the current rise in cases, tests also will be distributed from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29 and 30. These quick at-home tests are most accurate when you are symptomatic. Vault tests remain available at centers around the state. Contact your center executive office for pick-up information in Boise, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene. Free tests are also available through the federal government. Each mailing address is eligible for four rapid tests by registering through the simple online form. Both employee and student insurance programs will reimburse for tests purchased out-of-pocket. Contact HR Benefit Services or the Student Health Insurance Program office with any questions about reimbursement.
Report any positive cases through a VandalCare report. This allows the university to best advocate for you and provide appropriate accommodations in class and work. If you are not feeling well, please stay home. Faculty and supervisors should be as flexible as possible in the coming weeks as we navigate this spike.
Our partners at Idaho Public Health and Gritman Medical Center agree the rate of infection is the highest we have seen during the pandemic, but they continue to support us remaining open with continued safety protocols.
Students are again eligible for vaccine incentives, including one-time gift cards for all those vaccinated and ongoing tuition credit awards. Students who have not previously done so should submit proof of vaccination online. Students do not need to submit proof of a booster shot.
What to do if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have a positive test can be confusing. Guidance changes as more is learned about the virus and as variants behave differently. Vandal Health Education produced a helpful graphic to explain the current guidance.
The next week will prove challenging. But, we anticipate this peak will follow trends in other regions and begin to drop soon. Strive to keep yourselves and others healthy. Be supportive and kind.
Keep Calm and Vandal On.
Scott Green
President
president@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/president
Torrey Lawrence
Provost and Executive Vice President
provost@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/provost
