Coronavirus Information

Latest updates

Why isn't the quarantine and isolation data on the Penn State COVID-19 public dashboard this semester?

The University has maintained sufficient capacity for quarantine and isolation spaces for students who reside in residence halls and others who may have needed this support. Since last fall, we have not had a high percentage of use of these spaces and this spring, use of these spaces continues to be low. In addition, the change in the CDC guidelines regarding management of quarantine and isolation now allows for students to spend less time in these reserved rooms. We will share updates on our usage of quarantine and isolation spaces should our usage percentage rise significantly.

Can I order Vault Health mail-in test kits for members of my family or others?

No, Vault Health at-home tests can only be used by Penn State faculty, staff and students, and each individual needs to order their own test kit(s). Each Vault test kit is linked to the identity of the person who ordered it via the individual’s name and Penn State email address.  Additionally, the at-home tests must be administered while connected via Zoom to a Vault Health representative who will monitor the sample collection process.

Testing resources for family members can be found via personal health care providers or by searching for testing sites on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website. 

How can I order a mail-in test kit?

All students are strongly encouraged to order a free, mail-in Vault Health test kit to get tested for COVID-19 before returning to campus so that they can isolate at home if they are COVID-19 positive. Employees who are working on campus or in person also can order free, mail-in Vault Health test kits. Any student or employee can currently order up to 12 Vault Health kits for at-home use.

What types of masks should be worn indoors?

Mask wearing at all campuses while indoors will continue into spring 2022. The CDC recommends the following mask types to offer the best protection:

• medical procedure masks (sometimes referred to as surgical masks or disposable face masks),
• masks that fit properly (snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face),
• masks made with breathable fabric (such as cotton),
• masks made with tightly woven fabric (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source),
• masks with two or three layers, or
• masks with inner filter pockets.

Other additional mask wearing instructions will be shared by Contact Tracing if someone tests positive or is a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

How does the federal contractor mandate injunction affect the University’s employee testing plans for the spring semester?

Under the federal contractor vaccine mandate, all employees at all Penn State campuses are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical/disability- or religious-related accommodation. This mandate is currently under an injunction and will not be implemented by Penn State on Jan. 4, however the injunction could be lifted in the near future. In the meantime, the University will continue with the current testing protocols already in place. Faculty and staff who are not fully vaccinated, including those working remotely, will be required to test weekly until the legal process is finalized.

For Tech service employees the University and Teamsters Local Union 8 have bargained about the effects of any valid, enforceable vaccine mandate for federal contractors. As of now that federal mandate is on hold by the federal court thus not requiring any technical service employees to be vaccinated or tested. In the event that the federal contractor vaccine mandate is reinstated by the federal courts, the University and Teamsters will follow the terms of their agreement and will bargain about the effects of the federal contract vaccine mandate, including a new effective date of any vaccine mandate. The agreement includes terms that describe the addition of other campuses to the vaccinate mandate. Specifically, the University must notify the Union and bargain over the implementation of the vaccine mandate at additional commonwealth campuses.