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COVID-19 CAMPUS UPDATES
COVID-19 CAMPUS UPDATES
COVID-19 CAMPUS UPDATES
The Health of the Triton Community is Our Top Priority
This webpage is the University of Guam's official source of information about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and includes the latest information regarding university and campus operations during the pandemic that concern our employees, our students, and the public. This webpage is also a source of important tips and precautions to help the UOG community to stay healthy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the most up-to-date information about the status of the Novel Coronavirus in the United States. The Government of Guam is carefully monitoring the situation on our island, and the University of Guam is also closely monitoring the global outbreak as well as the latest official guidance. With any change in status, anticipate timely notification. The situation is dynamic and rapidly changing, and notices are subject to change quickly. Thus, an over-abundance of caution is advised to safeguard yourselves, our university, and our community.
STATUS
READ: President's Directive 2022-07 (Amended)
This directive reflects changes for the campus in the Fañomnåkan 2023 semester as we transition out of the public health emergency based on Governor’s updated message as of Jan 6, 2023.
The Governor’s updated message ended the Public Health Emergency, effective midnight on Jan 6, 2023. As such, and subject to any changes to this declaration and guidance from DPHSS, UOG implements the following, effective Jan 7, 2023:
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Rescinds the latest UOG Pandemic Plan and Procedures for Preparing and Operating Under PCOR2/3 / UPPOP 2/3 and President Directives 2021-02, 2021-03, 2021-04, 2022-01, 2022-02, 2022-03, 2022-04, 2022-05, and 2022-06.
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Transitions to pre-pandemic regular work hours and operations.
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Transitions to pre-pandemic gatherings and food safety protocols.
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Archives the UOG website for COVID-19.
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Deactivates requirements for reporting COVID-19 testing to the UOG Student Health Office.
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Deactivates the covidsafety@triton.uog.edu account.
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Follows transitioning protocols for vaccination, quarantine/isolation, and reporting from DHPSS.
Fañomnåkan 2023 will be the first full semester to transition back to normal operations.
This directive reflects changes for the campus in the Fañomnåkan 2023 semester as we transition out of the public health emergency based on Governor's updated message as of Jan 6, 2023.
See Governor Leon Guerrero's COVID-19 Special Address relative to Executive Order 2020-05
All students and employees are encouraged to review these campus safety tips issued by UOG Safety & Security Office.
Senior Vice President and Provost Anita Borja Enriquez has issued a memo regarding the suspension of the Academic COOP.
This directive adjusts current University of Guam guidance and reflects changes from the Governor’s Executive Order (EO) 2022-13.
Campus Operations
The University of Guam and resumed normal campus operations due to the ending of the public health emergency effective midnight, Jan. 6, 2023.
View Governor's Address ending the public health emergency
READ: President's Directive 2022-07 (Amended)
The links and information below will remain as an archive of operations information
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs)
These plans were developed to outline the University's operational procedures during an island-wide shutdown like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ANNEX E - Pandemic Plan and Procedures for Preparing and Operating Under PCOR3 / UPPOP3
University of Guam Crisis and Disaster Management Plan (pdf) (Updated Aug. 16, 2021)
- Amendment - August 24, 2021 (pdf)
- Enclosure F - UOG COVID-19 Safety Checklist (Updated August 16, 2020)
- Enclosures 1 & 2 - Guidance for Individuals who are suspected or confirmed of having
COVID-19 (August 18, 2021)
- Fanuchånan 2021 - Academic Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) (pdf) (Updated Aug. 18, 2021. Please note: Use of the Academic COOP was suspended effective May 20, 2022.)
- Enrollment Management & Student Success Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) (pdf) (April 17, 2020)
Close contact or positive test flowcharts
COVID-19 safety at UOG
- Every activity sponsored via UOG needs to be managed by the host as though it is being inspected for compliance.
- It is important to be in compliance when no one is watching.
- Know and follow the most current social gathering or congregating Executive Order and DPHSS Guidance Memo. Know the penalties involved with violating these requirements.
- Follow all COVID-19-related signage and instructions.
- Stay home if you're sick or if you have been in contact with someone who is positive or potentially positive for COVID-19. Report absence and situation to appropriate leadership chain.
- Masks are not required on the UOG campus. However, masks are still encouraged and recommended in general.
- Always maintain social distance of six feet from other people, as appropriate.
- Wash or sanitize hands frequently. If sanitizers are empty, report it to the building administrator to refill.
- Sanitize high-contact surfaces frequently.
- Sign in as required when entering buildings, offices, and rooms for contact-tracing purposes. Include attestation form, as appropriate.
- Do temperature checks, as required.
- Do not gather, congregate, or loiter inside or outside of buildings.
- Food and beverages are not authorized for consumption in classrooms/labs or office breakrooms. Such items should be consumed outside of the classroom, outdoors, or in designated eating areas and with at least six feet of social distancing.
- Meals and/or drinks at on- and off-campus UOG activities must be served as to-go meals and drinks and must be previously approved. Requests for approval should be submitted to covidsafety@triton.uog.edu.
- It is everyone’s responsibility to check for compliance on all protocols and to report any shortages or shortfalls to the building administrator so they can be corrected as soon as possible. Shortfalls may also be reported to covidsafety@triton.uog.edu.
The room host/instructor is responsible for implementing and enforcing these COVID safety rules at all times.
Read more: COVID-19 Safety at UOG
Download a printable checklist
*As of June 29, 2021. Subject to updates at any time. Email questions to dsokada@triton.uog.edu and hollyerj@triton.uog.edu.
Employee testing and vaccination procedure
Request forms
If you're feeling ill or suspect COVID-19
- Stay home, call your doctor or health care provider, and get tested if you are identified
as a close contact to confirmed positive cases or are experiencing any of the known
symptoms of COVID-19 which include, but are not limited to:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Avoid contact with others. Do not go to public areas.
- Review the COVID-19 Fact Sheet.
- On-campus health professionals can be reached at:
Student Health Services
Tel: (671) 735-2225/6
Email: uogstudenthealth@triton.uog.edu
Official UOG travel
UOG Travel Advisory
The prohibition on official travel is rescinded as of March 16, 2022. Official travel must consider the enroute requirements, requirements at the destination, and requirements upon return at the time of travel to ensure it is feasible and authorized for the round trip to occur safely and without undue delays.
Assumed risk
Should a travel authorization not be approved by UOG, employees and students still choosing to travel would be travelling on their own time, at their own costs, and at their own risks. Employees would be required to use personal leave.
If you choose to travel, please be aware that there is a chance that you may not be able to leave the country you are visiting and may not be able to return to Guam right away. This would depend on any changes to this evolving situation including alert levels, exposure to COVID-19, and changes to travel routes. In such cases, you should prepare a contingency plan for your travel.
The University advises checking the latest travel recommendations and risk assessment levels for certain countries at the following websites:
Personal precautions
We all need to take personal responsibility for and remain vigilant in reducing the spread of the virus. Here are some everyday preventative measures you can take to ensure the safety of yourself and others:
- Keep a daily log of where you go and who you're with.
- Avoid crowds and keep six feet of social distance between yourself and others.
- The Centers for Disease Control recommends getting a flu vaccine, taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose, use a tissue, or use the inside of your arm, then dispose of the tissue and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects or surfaces. Wipe down surfaces at work or at home that could be contaminated with the virus. Use bleach sprays, disinfectant wipes, or soap and water.
- Make a plan:
- Build a communication plan: How you will receive emergency alerts? How you will communicate with your household?
- Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick. Plan where they would stay in the home to avoid infecting others and what will be needed to care for them in your home.
- Consider specific needs in your household: Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.
- Practice your plan with your household.
COVID-19 vaccine fact sheets
Contact with a COVID case guidance
Person A: CASE
Definition: Laboratory-confirmed positive for COVID-19Action: Isolate. Separate from people who are not sick to avoid spreading illness.
Person B: CLOSE CONTACT
Definition: “Close contact” with Person A- Considered “Medium to High Risk”
- Individuals who were within 6 feet of Person A for a prolonged period of time (more than 15 minutes) or had direct contact with their secretions (e.g. coughed on).
Person C: CONTACT OF A CONTACT
Definition: Any person who is in contact of Person B (e.g. spouse, children, parents, co-workers, friends, etc.) is considered “Low Risk.”Action: Everyday preventation actions. Wash hands, cover coughs and sneezes, clean surfaces frequently. be alert for symptoms.
Household Members:
- If an asymptomatic (no symptoms) person is contacted by DPHSS to be notified that they are a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, they should remain home, practice social distancing, and monitor for symptoms.
- Any child, spouse or other household members of this asymptomatic contact are a “contact of a contact” and therefore are not required to take any special precautions. They can go to school, work, and engage in other activities but must practice social distancing, wash hands often and wear face covering.
Co-workers:
- If an asymptomatic employee calls their supervisor and notified them that they are required to stay home because they were a close contact of a confirmed case, the contacts they had at work are considered “contacts of contact,” are not required to take any special precautions. They should be permitted to continue to work but must practice social distancing, wash hands often and wear face covering.
How long should close/household contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case remain home while monitoring themselves?
- Symptomatic contacts: Must self-isolate at home until they are fever free for a full 3 days (or 72 hours with no fever without the use of fever reducing medicine) AND other symptoms, such as cough and shortness of breath have improved AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. After self-isolation ends, the person may return to normal activities including work and school but must practice social distancing, wash hands often and wear face covering.
- Asymptomatic contacts: If the confirmed case remains a close contact after symptoms develop, the asymptomatic contact would self-isolate for 14 days AFTER the COVID-19 case is no longer required to self-isolate. If the asymptomatic contact no longer has close contact with the confirmed case, they would self-isolate for 14 days AFTER they last came into contact with the confirmed case.
Do “contact of contacts” need to take any special precautions?
- No. A person who is a contact of a contact does not have any restrictions and can continue with normal activities such as going to work or school but must practice social distancing, wash hands often and wear face covering. If this person later develops symptoms, see instructions listed above for symptomatic contacts.
Educational print-ready materials
PRINT-READY EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS:
- Tips that Can Help Prevent the Spread of Illnesses, including Coronavirus
4.25” x 11” 8.5” x 11” 18” x 24”
- Stop Germs! Wash Your Hands
4.25” x 11” 8.5” x 11” 18” x 24” - Assist the Contact Tracing Effort
Counseling and Mental Health Services
Uplift Counseling Services
Uplift Counseling Services offers outpatient behavioral health services at no cost to underinsured or uninsured individuals who need brief counseling support.
(671) 787-7978
Project Tulaika Mental Health Services
Project Tulaika Mental Health Services offers individual, family, and group counseling as well as home-based services for youth and young adults ages 16–25.
(671) 647-5317/1901/5440/8833/8834
Reputable Information Sources
It is important to note that the situation can change daily. The community is reminded to only share official notices and visit the following links for the most up-to-date information:
- Centers for Disease Control Prevention
- Guam Department of Public Health & Social Services
- Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense
- Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
For more information, contact the Department of Public Health & Social Services from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (671) 735-7154.
UOG Cares Student Support
UOG Cares is part of the University of Guam's response to the needs of our students and reaffirms commitment to help our students reach their academic goals. UOG Cares provides students with support and solutions in the areas of finances, academics, and health and wellness.
Notice on accessibility: The University of Guam is currently in the process of converting legacy PDF documents and forms to accessible web pages, documents, and online forms that are WCAG 2.0-compliant. Until this project is completed, the UOG ADA Office is available to provide accessible versions of any such document upon request.
For assistance, please contact the Student Counseling and Advising Services/ADA Office at (671) 735-2460 [Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) number], or email sssablan@triton.uog.edu Please be prepared to provide the web address or URL of this page, as well as the name of the document you are trying to access.