Dear Members of the Campus Community:
Here are this week’s five things you need to know about Fordham’s COVID-19 precautions, vaccinations, and University operations.
Please wear a mask in all indoor public spaces at all times. See the COVID-19 Guidelines on the web for detailed information: fordham.edu/fordhamforward:
- In the last 14 days, 38 members of the University community tested positive for COVID-19, as listed on the University dashboard.
- All building ventilation is running on extended hours (2 hours before opening and after closing) and with outside air at 100%; classrooms without central ventilation have HEPA units; air filtration has been upgraded to MERV 13 (hospital-grade filtration); window air conditioners should be operated on outside air when in use; and windows may be opened, weather permitting.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters. The University will make boosters available for all eligible students, faculty, and staff once the boosters are approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the New York state Department of Health issues its guidance for practitioners. The vaccine schedule is available on the COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Resources page.
- Contact tracing seeks to identify any individual in close contact to a COVID-19 positive person within a two-day period prior to the onset of symptoms, or from when the infected person tests positive for the virus. Here are the CDC guidelines. All employees who test positive must complete the VitalCheck screening process before returning to campus; students must follow the direction of the contact tracing team and University Health Services.
- Influenza (flu) season is upon us. The University strongly recommends that everyone receive the flu vaccine. Students can schedule a vaccination with University Health Services at any time. Faculty and staff who missed the University’s on-campus flu vaccination opportunities in September will have another opportunity in early November. You may also contact your health care providers or check with your local pharmacy (the vaccines are covered by insurance).
Every issue of Five Things is archived on our news site: news.fordham.edu/tag/five-
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator
