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February 18, 2021: MetroSafe Update

Posted Thursday, February 18, 2021 | Announcements to Employees

COVID-19 campus exposure update

For the week of Feb. 10–Feb. 16, Metropolitan State has reported 2 COVID-19 cases to the Minnesota State dashboard among individuals associated with our campus. Of these individuals, none were thought to be infectious while on campus. The data reported is shown below:

Students—Week of 2/10/2021 - 2/16/2021 / Total from 08/24/2020 - 2/16/2021

Case Number/ Total Reports—2 / 307

Negative—0 / 82

Unknown/ Unconfirmed—0 / 0

Positive (Reported to System Dashboard)—2 / 225

Contagious while on campus—0 / 20

Not Contagious or Not on Campus—2 / 205

Recovered (Isolation has ended)—0 / 223

Employees—Week of 2/10/2021 - 2/16/2021 / Total from 08/24/2020 - 2/16/2021

Case Number/ Total Reports—0 / 16

Negative—0 / 0

Unknown/ Unconfirmed—0 / 1

Positive (Reported to System Dashboard)—0 / 14

Contagious while on campus—0 / 1

Not Contagious or Not on Campus—0 / 14

Recovered (Isolation has ended)—0 / 13

Data may not be comprehensive or in real-time​ due to testing and reporting delays and are subject to change. Individuals, particularly those that have been at one of our locations, are also encouraged to report any COVID-19 health updates through our reporting form. As part of the Minnesota State system and in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health, Metropolitan State posts a link to the Minnesota State COVID-19 dashboard on the website.

HVAC ventilation work scheduled

A mechanical test and balance contractor on site at the Saint Paul and Midway locations Feb. 24–26 as part of our mechanical systems work to review and access our HVAC ventilation systems. The contractor will be taking sample air flow readings in selected spaces including office and classroom spaces. They will be working in the ceiling space to take measurements at zone control boxes and also adjusting building systems and fans as they validate performance data. The work is being coordinated around in person scheduled courses to minimize impact in those spaces.

Minnesota Department of Health updated guidance on close contacts

What is a close contact? In general, a close contact means being less than 6 feet from someone for 15 minutes or more throughout a 24-hour period. However, even shorter periods of time or longer distances can result in spread of the virus. The longer someone is close to the person who has COVID-19, and the closer they are, the greater the chance the virus can spread.

If you have close contact with someone who has been told by a doctor, clinic or hospital that they have COVID-19:

  • Watch yourself for symptoms for 14 days.
  • Stay home.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Clean surfaces you touch.

Download the free COVIDaware MN app to get notified if you have been near someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

Separate yourself from others. If you had close contact with a person with COVID-19 (an exposure), you need to stay home and away from others (quarantine). COVID-19 can take up to 14 days to make you sick, and some people with COVID-19 never feel sick, so you need to separate yourself from others so you don't spread the virus without knowing it.

  • Get tested for COVID-19 five days or later after the exposure, even if you do not have symptoms. If test results are positive, follow recommendations on Information for Confirmed Cases and Contacts.
  • Stay home. Do not go to work, school, or any other place outside the home except for testing or needed medical care.
  • Stay away from people who may be at high-risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, including older adults, those living in long-term care facilities, and people with health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, severe obesity, or weakened immune systems.
  • If you start to feel sick, separate yourself from other people in your home. If possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if you can.
  • Do not use public transportation, ride sharing (such as Uber or Lyft), or taxis.
  • Wear a facemask if around other people. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then wash hands thoroughly.
  • Avoid sharing personal household items. Do not share food, dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Who does not need to quarantine? If you have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days and have close contact with someone with COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine if ALL of the following are true:

  • Your illness was confirmed with a positive lab test in the past 90 days
  • You have fully recovered
  • You do not currently have any symptoms of COVID-19

If someone has completed COVID-19 vaccination (two doses in a two-dose series or one dose in a one-dose series) and is exposed, they do not need to quarantine if ALL of the following are true:

  • The COVID-19 exposure was at least 14 days after their vaccination series was fully completed
  • The COVID-19 exposure was within 90 days of their final dose of the vaccination series
  • They do not currently have any symptoms of COVID-19

People who live or work in a health care or long-term care facility, have been vaccinated, and have a COVID-19 exposure should refer to guidelines for their situation.

Even after a person has recovered from COVID-19 or is fully vaccinated they should still continue to stay distanced, wear a mask that fits well, wash their hands often, and follow other precautions.