Aug. 23 Update

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Masking, On-Campus Vaccine Clinic, Testing and COVID Helpline

Welcome new Cobbers, and welcome back returning Cobbers! Read on for important information about masking, vaccination efforts, return testing, and the COVID Student Helpline.

Masking 
As a reminder, we are starting the semester with some enhanced mitigation efforts, including masking. What does this mean? 

For vaccinated individuals:

  • Masks are required in public indoor spaces and in workspaces where distancing cannot be maintained.   
  • With other people indoors and you can’t spread out? Wear a mask. 
  • At this time, residence halls are not considered a public space and vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks in common areas of residence halls.  

For unvaccinated individuals: 

  • Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear a mask indoors at all times (including in residence hall common areas). 

For everyone: 

  • Effective the first day of class (August 26), Concordia is requiring masks are worn in all classes, laboratories, and studios. Faculty may remove their mask to teach, provided there is adequate space to distance. 
  • When wearing a mask, wear it over your nose and mouth.  

Why are we starting the year with so much mask wearing? 

  • We have not yet hit our goal of 85% of our student body being fully vaccinated 
  • The Delta variant is more contagious 
  • Our county is currently listed in the ‘High’ level of community transmission - in this scenario, CDC recommends that all individuals wear a mask in public indoor settings 
  • The vaccines are very effective at preventing serious illness – but they do not completely prevent the risk of infection. This means that even vaccinated people are at some risk of catching and spreading COVID. 

These requirements will be reviewed on September 17.  

Vaccination Opportunities 

Vaccination continues to be critical. Having the highest vaccination rate as possible will allow us to remove some of our mitigation efforts. 

The Food and Drug Administration has now formally approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. This decision replaces the emergency use authorization granted by the FDA last December. 

If you are not yet vaccinated, be sure to check out these resources: 

  • On-Campus Vaccine Clinic: Tuesday, August 24, 2:30–4 p.m., Concordia College Campus – Former Kjos Clinic – North side of Hoyum Hall. First come, first served.  
  • There are many other ways in our community to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You can find walk-in sites as well as make an appointment and find sites that offer a specific vaccine using the vaccine connector link.    

Return Testing 

  • If you are not fully vaccinated, don’t forget to submit your required negative test upon returning to campus. Read more here, and use this form.  
  • Failure to complete this requirement may result in referral to the conduct system and a fine of $50 or more.  
  • Contact COVID19Helpline@cord.edu with questions.  

COVID Student Helpline 

The COVID Student Helpline is your resource for anything related to COVID. You should call the Helpline (701-730-8304) for the following reasons: 

To report possible symptoms of COVID 

  • To report that you have tested positive for COVID 
  • To report that you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive  
  • If you have any questions related to COVID, including help with quarantine 

The Helpline phone is staffed from 8 am – 8 pm, 7 days a week. If you get the voicemail, leave a message and a staff member will return your call. 

The Helpline can also be reached at COVID19Helpline@cord.edu. Email is a great way to ask non-urgent questions, as well as provide updates about your vaccination status. 

Thanks for reading this entire message, and for doing your part to promote the health of our Cobber community.  

-The COVID Student Helpline Team