COVID-19: Moving Forward
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Resources for faculty, staff and students
This site will serve as the most up-to-date, reliable information about coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, for Penn State College of Medicine faculty, staff, students and postdocs.
Current status: College of Medicine
Masking
Employees and students are required to wear a level 1 mask in certain scenarios. View masking guidelines.
Room/Lab Capacity
The maximum number of people permitted in indoor spaces, including educational spaces and laboratories, has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Off-Campus Events
For College-sponsored events which are held off-campus, attendees should abide by COVID-19 safety guidelines outlined by the specific venue.
Student Policy for COVID-19 Reporting and Quarantine
Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should contact Student Health at 717-531-5998. Do not come to campus or to the Student Health office, as it could put others at risk.
Employee Policy for COVID-19 Reporting and Quarantine
Employees experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should contact Occupational Medicine at psuoccmed@psu.edu. Please provide the following information in the email:
- Name
- PSU ID
- Date symptoms started
- Date tested positive
- First day of missed work
- Whether you have the ability to work remotely
Do not come to campus with symptoms, as it could put others at risk.
COVID-19 Test Kits
Students and employees are encouraged to order free, at-home COVID-19 tests from the government and have them at home ready for immediate use. Please don't wait until symptoms arise to order.
COVID-19 Booster Shots
Boosters shots are strongly encouraged and are available at any health care location, pharmacy or grocery store, among other locations. Find one near you on vaccines.gov.
Human Subjects Research
All studies that involve direct, face-to-face interaction with research participants are required to follow the University policies and may require review at the College and University level prior to proceeding. Review the updated guidelines.
Quick Reference
For learners
- All learners should contact their program leadership with questions. That can be done via this form: Submit a COVID-19 question
- Student Health: 717-531-5998
Important contacts
- University Employee Health: 814-863-8492
- Biosafety: 717-531-5573, 717-531-0003, ext. 289844 or BiosafetyOfficer@
pennstatehealth.psu.edu - COM HR: askCOMHR@
pennstatehealth.psu.edu
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:
- From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 717-531-8606
- At other times, 717-531-8521 and ask to have the on-call PR person paged
COVID-19 resources by topic
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.