As infection and hospitalization rates due to the delta variant decrease, West Virginia University will lift mask requirements for individuals across all campuses in all indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, beginning Thursday, Oct. 21. However, the University will continue to require masks in all classrooms, labs or any WVU System facility or building being used as a classroom for the remainder of the semester.
Following CDC guidelines, those who are not vaccinated will be expected to wear a mask in all indoor settings as well as outdoors where large groups are gathered, and masks will continue to be required on the PRT and WVU buses across all campuses through Jan. 18, 2022, under federal guidelines from the Transportation Security Administration.
Additionally, the University will drop the 5-day quarantine requirement following out-of-state travel for all faculty, staff and students.
“Infection rates and hospitalization rates are beginning to decline across the state and within our community which are key data in our decision to ease some of our current campus protocols,” said Dr. Jeffrey Coben, dean of the School of Public Health and associate vice president for Health Affairs . “I urge our students and employees to remain vigilant, and we continue to encourage those on campus to wear a mask when indoors, regardless of vaccination status, especially in areas where physical distancing is not possible.”
Vaccination and testing resources specific to Potomac State College
WVU strongly encourages everyone to be vaccinated and to verify their vaccine status at http://myhousing.wvu.edu.
Free vaccine sites in Keyser include:
- CVS Pharmacy, 45 South Mineral Street, (304) 788-3443
- Med-A-Save Pharmacy, 818 South Mineral Street, (304) 788-6010
- Walgreens Pharmacy, 839 South Mineral Street, (304) 788-5931
- Walmart Pharmacy, Located in the Walmart Supercenter, 148 US Route 220, (304) 788-8170
- Mineral County Health Department, Wednesdays, 541 Harley O. Staggers Drive. Other days by appointment, (304) 788-1321
The World Health Organization and CDC recently added Sinopharm and Sinovac to the list of approved COVID-19 vaccines. WVU now also considers these vaccines among the list of those that are approved for students and employees.
Other vaccination opportunities can be found at vaccines.gov. Vaccines continue to be readily available across the country.
Regarding COVID-19 testing, the local Mineral County Health Department is offering the community free COVID-19 testing as follows:
Mondays
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Church-McKee Arts Center parking lot
Wednesdays
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mineral County Health Department
541 Harley O. Staggers Drive
Keyser WV 26726
Community testing through the MCHD is open to WVU Potomac State College students, employees and residents of Mineral County. Individuals who wish to be tested must bring identification (a driver's license or proof of address) to the testing site. Face masks and physical distancing are required.
The University encourages all students, employees and visitors to continue physical distancing when possible and wear a mask in crowded spaces – even when outdoors.
Students, faculty and staff should self-monitor for symptoms and follow quarantine and testing protocols for those who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Testing and vaccination information for students and employees at WVU Potomac State College can be found on the WVU Keyser Return to Campus site.
Stay informed
COVID-19 updates are available through WVU’s public dashboard on the Return to Campus website which features daily testing information updated by 2 p.m., as well as vaccination verification rates, isolation and quarantine data updated each Wednesday by 2 p.m.
Visit the Return to Campus website for more information and the latest COVID-19 updates.
Contact covidvaccine@mail.wvu.edu or returntocampus@mail.wvu.edu with any questions.