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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Resources for faculty, staff and students

Nested Applications

Coronavirus Quick-Reference Links

Quick Reference

Media requests

All requests for media interviews should be made through the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Any Penn State Health/Penn State College of Medicine employee who is contacted by a member of the media should direct the media contact to the following numbers:

Coronavirus overview basic content

COVID-19 status: College of Medicine

Masking

Employees and students are required to wear a level 1 mask in certain scenarios.

  • When experiencing a runny nose, sore throat or cough (even if possibly due to allergies) – mask should be worn when within 6 feet of anyone on campus (including co-workers).
  • For at least a full 10 days after a higher-risk (as defined in the Penn State Health Employee Quarantine and Isolation Policy) exposure or after isolation start date if positive for COVID.

Making guidelines for gatherings:

  • Less than 30 attendees
    • Follow normal operating protocols and masking is optional
  • 30 or more attendees and greater than or equal to 30 minutes in duration
    • If % positive COVID-19 test rates greater than or equal to 10% at HMC lab (in any of the last 2-3 weeks reported):
      • Masking recommended, hand hygiene readily available, and distancing, as possible. Virtual option recommended.
    • If % positive COVID-19 test rates greater than or equal to 20% at HMC lab (in any of the last 2-3 weeks reported)
      • Masking required, hand hygiene readily available, and distancing, as possible. Virtual option required.
  • Regardless of size and trigger, those with upper respiratory infection symptoms should not attend in person and the planner should send a reminder of this ahead of the event.

View full masking guidelines (includes information about masking while in patient care). (PDF download; PSU Sharepoint login required)

Student Policy for COVID-19 Reporting and Quarantine

Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or exposure to COVID-19 are expected to take the steps outlined on the Student Health COVID-19 page.

Human Subjects Research

The Revised Standards for In-Person Human Subjects Research were retired on December 13, 2022, and are no longer in effect. Study teams are strongly encouraged to follow Best Practices for Conducting In-person Human Subjects Research (or see below). Moving forward, in-person research no longer requires review by the COVID Safety Committee via InfoReady. Studies previously approved through InfoReady are encouraged to continue the practices outlined in their protocols.

  • Vaccination: It is strongly recommended that study staff be fully vaccinated (full regimen, including boosters).
  • Screening: Participants should be screened for transmissible viruses and diseases, such as COVID and influenza. Follow University or College of Medicine screening scripts.
  • Clean and disinfect: Study teams utilize standard cleaning procedures, particularly for shared surfaces and equipment.
  • Masking: Study teams should utilize masking as appropriate, particularly during times of high transmission. At the College of Medicine and Penn State Health, follow current masking guidelines stated above.

Coronavirus COM response code


College of Medicine COVID-19 response

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State College of Medicine faculty, staff and students contributed to research on new treatments and public health trends, while supporting Penn State Health's COVID-19 response. Today, research efforts focus on the long term health impacts of the pandemic on society.