The University has released a message to West Campus students, faculty and staff regarding proactive surveillance testing for COVID-19. The message reads as follows:
As part of our program of proactive surveillance testing, we have confirmed the first student case of COVID-19 of the Fall semester at Stony Brook University. The residential student, whose confidentiality will be maintained, has been taking online classes exclusively and was asymptomatic.
Upon confirming this residential student was positive for COVID-19, Student Health Services began its multilayered process to contain the spread and to help protect others in the campus community. This includes contact tracing, working in conjunction with our local Department of Health to identify and notify individuals who have come in close contact with the student. The close contacts have already been notified and provided directions as to the necessary steps to take. In addition, our facilities staff has promptly initiated the necessary cleaning protocols.
Because this is the first identified positive student case, we are alerting the campus community to demonstrate that the surveillance testing program is working as it was intended. It also provides an opportunity to remind our community that the SBU COVID-19 Dashboard will serve as the tracking tool for updates on cases, positivity rates, and capacity for isolation and quarantine. It will not be our practice to notify the campus in each individual instance of a positive case. Rather, the dashboard will be updated weekly.
All west campus employees should continue to screen daily prior to arriving on campus, and complete the COVID-19 Daily Health Self-Screening within one hour of arriving on campus. Employees with general and work-related questions about COVID-19 can call the Health Information Line at (631) 632-5000 (on campus 2-5000), which is available to all employees of the West Campus, Health Sciences Center, and the School of Medicine.
All students living on campus and students who are commuting to campus to attend in-person classes or use any campus facilities are expected to complete a daily temperature and symptom check via the Campus Clear app. If symptomatic, the Campus Clear app will indicate next steps and provide a phone number to call to speak to a medical professional in Student Health Services.
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s responsibility. Remember to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from other people, wherever and whenever possible.
- Wear a mask over your nose and mouth (in all buildings, when using campus transport, and in venues and situations where physical distancing isn’t possible, including outdoors).
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your own workspaces daily. This includes tables, desks, phones, keyboards, etc
- Avoid use of other people’s phones, desks, offices, tools and equipment, when possible.
- Stay home if you are sick.
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