Archive for the ‘Fall 2021’ Category.

Important COVID-19 Update

LVC Community: 

We have so far this semester fared exceptionally well in preventing COVID-19 infections among our students and employees. Indoor masking, contact tracing, high immunization rates, and compliance with quarantining and isolation have worked and allowed us to have an in-person semester.  

However, positivity rates and cases are rising on campus and in Lebanon County as people gather indoors more often during the colder weather and the efficacy of the vaccine has been found to decrease over time. Our partners at Penn State Health have reported that hospitalizations, especially among unvaccinated individuals, are “going in the wrong direction.” Even if your symptoms feel like a mild cold, you could be spreading COVID-19 to vulnerable people at risk of experiencing much worse symptoms. 

There are just a few weeks to go. I urge you to: 

Be aware of new symptoms. Colds, allergies, and sniffles are prevalent this time of year. Even mild cold-like symptoms or nausea could be a sign of COVID-19 infection. Students must fill out the symptom tracker any time they experience symptoms. This alerts health center staff to get in touch. 

If you have any of these symptoms, isolate yourself, regardless of vaccination status. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider (employees) or Shroyer Health Center (students) at x.6232, 717-867-6232, or healthservices@lvc.edu.  

  • Fever or chills 
  • Cough 
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
  • New loss of taste or smell 

Also contact your healthcare provider or Shroyer if you experience more than one of the following symptoms: 

  • Congestion or runny nose 
  • Fatigue 
  • Muscle or body aches 
  • Headache 
  • Diarrhea
  • Sore throat 
  • Nausea or vomiting 

Anyone who has a medical emergency should go to the ER or call 911. Students may call public safety for assistance at x.6111 or 717-867-6111. 

Get your COVID-19 booster shot. Boosters are widely available to and recommended for anyone 18 and older who finished both shots of either Pfizer and Moderna six months ago or got a Johnson & Johnson vaccine two months ago. Vaccines and booster shots are critical even for those who have had COVID-19. Your immunity wanes 90 days after infection. 

Get your flu shot. Flu season has already begun in our region. You can get flu and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters at the same time. 

Stay vigilant about indoor masking. Masks are proven to reduce the number of droplets significantly, thus lessening the viral load and the risk of infection.  

Be cautious over these holiday breaks. Mask up when gathering with people outside of your family unit. Avoid large gatherings, parties, bars, and clubs. 

Rest up and enjoy your break so we can head into finals healthy and strong—together. 

President MacLaren 

Vaccine Boosters on Campus

WellSpan will have Pfizer booster shoots available at an on-campus clinic Friday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any member of the campus community who is 18 or older, received Pfizer as their initial vaccine, and is six months past full dosage is eligible.

Students can sign up on Redbook. Staff should email shroyerhealthcenter@lvc.edu.

Attendance Restrictions Relaxed for Music Performances

The Music Department announced today that attendance restrictions for have been relaxed. All events are open to the public (and still streamed) with the following required conditions:
*All attendees must remain six feet apart in the performance area and from students. Family members who reside in the same household can sit together.
*Everyone must wear a mask that completely covers their mouth and nose.
*Please remember that seating in the Zimmerman Recital Hall in the Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery is limited, so some guests may not be able to participate if at COVID-requirement capacity.
*There will be a separate guest entrance for performances in Lutz Hall of the Bertha Brossman Blair Music Hall.
Please email music@lvc.edu if you have any quesitons.

Students: Download the NAVICA™ app

LVC uses the 15-minute BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 rapid antigen tests and manage our surveillance and athletic testing through a mobile app called NAVICA™.

Also, please review the guidelines for when to complete the symptom tracker here (scroll down underneath the dashboard).

Please take the following steps to prepare for your participation in the program:

1. Download the NAVICA app on your iPhone or Android device and create an account. Agree to terms of use. Enter your LVC email address so you can receive a verification code. Check your email and enter the verification code into the app. Create a password. Create your profile (birthday, address, etc.). Use 101 N. College Avenue, Annville, PA 17003 as your address if you reside on campus. Use your residence address if you reside off campus. Primary use—select Education; College or University.


2. Watch your email for an invitation from NAVICA (noreply@navica.abbott). It will contain a one-time use 12-digit Connect Code to enter your account. This code is unique to you and should not be shared.
 
3. In your NAVICA app, go to the “Account & Settings” section and enter your code to “connect” to LVC. 
  
4. Once you are connected, your test results will be shared directly with LVC Shroyer Health Center staff for state and federal reporting requirements, and more precise insights into COVID-19 trends on our campus.  

Do not hesitate to contact Shroyer Health Center staff at 717-867-6232 or ext. 6232 if you have any questions regarding LVC’s COVID-19 surveillance and testing programs.

Thank you for your participation. 

Important Masking Reminder

Welcome back to LVC. The fall semester is off to a great start. Let’s keep the positive energy going!

Remember to wear a mask at all times indoors, including in the Sports Center and other non-classroom locations. Your mask should cover your nose and mouth. Cloth and medical masks are required—bandanas and neck gaiters are no longer deemed sufficient. If a faculty or staff member or a fellow student reminds you to wear a mask, please be courteous and do so. At this time, no students are exempted from indoor masking, and our faculty and staff have been informed of this.

Stay safe and do what’s best for our community.

For ourselves and for each other.