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Campus Update from President Orlikoff

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Dear Potomac State College Campus Community, 

As many of you are aware, Mineral County is experiencing an upswing in positive COVID-19 cases. And as recently as last week, our campus was seeing an uptick in positive cases as well. These combined developments understandably make members of the campus community anxious. We continue to work closely with the Mineral County Health Department and are monitoring the situations – both on campus and in the community – frequently throughout the day. 

We believe that our measures of containment, which include involving surveillance testing, contact tracing, isolating positive cases and quarantining those in close contact, are working. We remain confident in the safety protocols we have in place for our classrooms, residence halls, library, dining and other services across campus to allow us to presently continue with an on-campus experience for our students. 

However, in order to meet our goal of in-person learning, we must be more vigilant than ever limiting indoor gatherings with others, movement on campus and trips into the community. The Recreation Center will remain closed and athletic activities suspended throughout the end of the semester. Commuters, please take extra precautions when traveling to and from home and when in your home communities.

Currently, there are three students isolating on campus. Students who were quarantining due to close contact have been released; therefore, there are no students in quarantine on-campus. We are aware of 31 students and three faculty/staff quarantining or isolating at home.

Surveillance testing of faculty, staff and students continues this week with results coming in by Saturday. If there is a significant spike in positive results, we may need to move instruction online before the scheduled date of Nov. 30.

We remind and encourage all students to get a COVID-19 test prior to leaving campus to return home for the holidays. We want to limit the spread of the virus to your home communities. Students who test positive or are identified as a close contact to someone who tests positive should contact PSCstudentexperience@mail.wvu.edu. Student Experience staff will be available to assist with housing options for those who choose to remain in Keyser to isolate or quarantine. Free testing is available at Mineral county sites through Saturday, Nov. 14:


Friday, Nov. 13:
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Mineral County Vo-Tech, 981 Harley O Staggers Drive, Keyser
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Mineral County Fairgrounds, Rt. 28, Fort Ashby

Saturday, Nov. 14:
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Mineral County Fairgrounds, Rt. 28, Fort Ashby
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Mineral County Vo-Tech, 981 Harley O Staggers Drive, Keyser

 

We will continue to work closely with the MCHD as we conduct surveillance testing and contact tracing. We’ll continue to keep the campus community updated and informed. Please continue to do your part by wearing a mask any time you are in public spaces, washing your hands frequently, practicing physical distancing, completing the daily wellness check and staying home if you are experiencing any symptoms.

As a reminder, if a student tests positive from an external testing site, they need to contact pscstudentexperience@mail.wvu.edu. Likewise, should a member of the faculty or staff tests positive from an external testing site, they need to let their supervisor know they won’t be at work and notify medicalmanagement@mail.wvu.edu

I continue to admire and appreciate our campus spirit, pride and caring for one another. 

Stay the course and we will get through this together. 


Sincerely,

Jennifer E. Orlikoff

Campus President

WVU-Keyser

Potomac State College 

O: 304-788-6810