COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

As of Spring 2023, Holy Family University recommends that all community members receive the COVID-19 vaccination and appropriate booster shots, but we do not mandate it.  We foster a safe and healthy educational environment for all learners.  We support the wearing of masks based on individual preference. We encourage you to contact your local health officials and primary doctor for personal guidance.    

What To Do If You Are Positive or Have Been Exposed

If you Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status:

• Stay home for 5 days.
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house. (resolving symptoms indicated by no fever or headache/body aches and without medication for 24 hours).
• Wear a mask at all times (N95, or double mask) while indoors at the University.

If you were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine)

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days. (Cloth masks need to be coupled with a surgical mask for additional safety)
• Monitor for any symptoms (cough, fever, headache, body aches or fatigue)
•  Test on day 5 (First day of symptoms is day 0).

If you Came into Close Contact with someone with COVID-19 and you are in one of the following groups, you do not need to quarantine.

• You are ages 18 or older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
• You are ages 5-17 years and completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
• You had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test).

If you do develop COVID-19 symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days from the date your symptoms began (the date the symptoms started is day 0). 

• You can end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation).

For more information regarding quarantine and isolation, visit www.cdc.gov/covid.

Important Note for Student-Athletes and Nursing Students

You will have received a separate communication regarding protocols that are specific to your status or degree program.
 
Vaccination Requirements and an Update on Boosters

As of Spring 2023, Holy Family University recommends that all community members receive the COVID-19 vaccination and appropriate booster shots, but we do not mandate it. 

Boosters are recommended per CDC guidelines as follows:

• The recommendation for boosters is five months past your last vaccination for Moderna, and five months since your last vaccination for Pfizer. Johnson and Johnson recipients should receive their boosters two months after the initial vaccination. 

Information about the COVID-19 booster can be found below:

• City of Philadelphia Booster Shot Information
• City of Philadelphia Sign Up to Get a Booster  
• Community-wide vaccination information and locations

Vaccinations for Third-Party Sites

Please note that students entering third-party sites for practical, clinical, or internship work must follow guidelines implemented by those entities. University exemptions do not apply to sites outside of the University's purview.

Verification of Vaccination

Holy Family University requires students to provide verification of COVID-19 vaccination and, as of July 20, 2022, verification of the COVID-19 Booster. This verification must confirm that a person is fully vaccinated and has received at least one COVID-19 Booster. Student verification will be completed via Canvas. 

How to Submit Your Verification of COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster

Student verification are completed via Canvas in the Health Services Course. Login to your Canvas account using your HFU sign-on credentials, and review the detailed information on how to submit verification information provided within the Canvas course. Students will be required to provide a copy of your vaccination card and must include a Booster. 

Please email healthservices@bongobaystudios.com or call 267-341-3262 with questions regarding available options for verification of vaccination.

Testing

Due to the current shortage of COVID-19 test kits and walk-in testing services in the Philadelphia area, Holy Family University Health Services will temporarily be providing COVID-19 testing services to employees. Testing will be available to full-time and part-time employees who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and/or have been exposed to the virus. Please note that if you are currently participating in regular testing through Health Services because you have an approved vaccination exemption, this requirement has not changed and you must continue to follow the instructions you received from Health Services.

Multiple testing types are available, and requisition requests and appointments will be required to assure appropriate access. Walk-in testing for employees is not available at this time. Please note that testing is for employees only and not the general public or family members of employees.

• PCR Testing may be completed at your local Quest Diagnostics location and produces results in roughly 48-hours. Employees may request testing via a requisition form, which will be processed within 24 hours of receipt. Details on how to complete testing at Quest Diagnostics will be provided when you receive confirmation that your requisition form has been processed. Those requiring this test should complete the COVID-19 Testing Requisition Request Form.
•  Rapid PCR Testing may be completed by appointment only at the Health Clinic located at the Philadelphia Main Campus, Stevenson Lane Residence, Suite 113. Results are produced in 30-60 minutes. When making your appointment, please select 'Other' as Type of Visit and, in 'Reason for Visit,' please add the text 'Employee COVID testing.'

Testing services are available to all full-time and part-time employees. These services are not available to the general public or immediate family members. Walk-in service for COVID-19 testing for employees is not currently available. Health Services appreciates your diligence in following appropriate testing procedures to assure the Health Clinic is able to support the entire campus community efficiently and effectively.

Masking

Indoor masking is optional for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The University asks that all individuals continue to have a mask with them at all times, should the need arise, and we strongly encourage those who are not vaccinated or who have certain medical conditions to continue to wear a mask. It is important to remember that some people may feel uncomfortable being around unmasked individuals. Additionally, many vaccinated individuals may choose to wear a mask for their own safety or for the safety of their loved ones. Please be respectful of everyone’s choices.

Masking is not required, except in the following cases:

• In health care clinical settings, and in the counseling center and health services clinic (wearing a mask is required);
• When you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19;
• When you are instructed to wear a mask by a healthcare provider; administrator or professor
• If you feel ill with upper respiratory symptoms or you are COVID-positive, and isolate.
   

In instances such as one-on-one meetings, either party may request that a mask be worn. If that is not acceptable to either person, an alternative arrangement should be scheduled.

We know this has been a challenging time for all, and we are deeply grateful to the care and attention you have shown one another throughout the pandemic. Your efforts truly made the difference in our ability to stay safe and to stay together. Thank you all you have done and will continue to do in our ongoing efforts to keep our community safe.