COVID-19 Resources

The university remains vigilant and proactive with our response to the coronavirus pandemic. Our primary goal is to keep our community healthy and safe. The university has developed a safety plan to protect students and employees as we return to on-campus instruction. Note that plan components may change as requirements and recommendations evolve.

Stay home if you are sick, even if the symptoms don’t appear to be COVID-19.

  • Students who miss class due to illness should reach out to their instructors to make a plan for missed coursework.
  • Students who miss clinic shifts should request ID days using the normal process. 
  • Employees should contact their supervisor.

This page is updated regularly but please check your UWS email for future actions and recommendations from the university.

UPDATE: JANUARY 4, 2022
The CDC updated their recommended time for isolation on 12/27/21 and UWS subsequently updated its protocols to match. People with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter.
Read more here.

UPDATE: APRIL 3, 2023
The Oregon mask mandate is rescinded on April 3, 2023, based on the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) news release referencing OAR 333-019-1011. After this date, Oregon no longer requires workers or patients in health care settings to wear masks. “Health care settings” includes chiropractic offices and clinics. This is applicable for lab classes as well.

Any individual may wear a face covering in the UWS clinic for their personal protection or the protection of others.

COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN

COVID-19 REPORT FORM

On-campus students and employees should use the COVID-19 Report Form if they have COVID-19 symptoms; close contact with a person with a COVID-19 infection; or a positive test result. The information collected in this form is kept confidential and only shared with key UWS officials.

POSITIVE TEST RESULT FOR COVID-19

  • You have completed your 5-day isolation period;
  • You are fever-free for at least 24-hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines;
  • You are free of uncontrollable cough; AND
  • Your other symptoms are improving.

CLOSE CONTACT WITH A PERSON WHO HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

University protocols require that you wear a face covering for 10 days following the exposure when around others and monitor yourself for symptoms. Testing on day 5 after the exposure is also recommended. You do not need to quarantine off campus unless you develop symptoms or have a positive test result. If you develop symptoms or have a positive test result, please make another report using the online report form.

SYMPTOMS THAT COULD BE RELATED TO COVID-19

  • You have self-quarantined for 5 days from the date of symptom-onset and your symptoms have resolved; or
  • You have authorization from your health care provider to return to campus without a COVID-19 test and your symptoms have resolved; or
  • You have received a negative COVID-19 test result and your symptoms have resolved.

  • Be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medicines for at least 24 hours;
  • Be free from uncontrollable cough; AND
  • Other symptoms should also be improving.

PROOF OF VACCINATION IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS

University of Western States complies with laws and regulations related to public health and the provision of health care services including the Oregon Health Authority’s administrative rule OAR 333-019-1010. In compliance with this rule, UWS is required to collect information about COVID vaccination status for any individual who works, learns, studies, assists, observes or volunteers in the UWS Health Center, Connected Whole Health or an Oregon-based CBI site. This information includes proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or documentation of a medical or religious exception. UWS is also complying with the emergency temporary standard (ETS) issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which requires proof of vaccination or request for testing for any employees who work on campus effective January 9, 2022. Read more about the standard here. The CDC definition of a fully vaccinated individual is either 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. The CDC also recommends a booster shot at 5 months after the completion of the primary series of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or 2 months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The booster recommendation has not changed the definition of a fully vaccinated individual. For additional information, please review the current CDC recommendations.

TESTING AND VACCINE INFORMATION

The university does not conduct testing on-site, nor does it provide vaccinations. Individuals should contact their health care provider or the Multnomah County Health Department or the Washington State Department of Health for current testing and vaccination information.

NBCE and CCEB EXAMINATIONS

For specific information regarding NBCE protocols, please contact NBCE. Please visit the NBCE website for updates.

Please refer to the CCEB website for additional information about exam administration.

TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE

UWS has done some preliminary research and discovered several insurance options that appear to include travel and COVID-19 related coverage. The university suggests working with a broker to identify the carrier and plan that meets your needs. Two brokers that appear to carry appropriate plans are Insubuy and American Visitor Insurance.

Note that not every plan carried by these brokers includes COVID-19-related coverage. Both brokers have information specific to COVID-19 on their websites. UWS does not recommend any particular broker, carrier or plan. Students are responsible for identifying and selecting the plan that best suits their needs.

UWS recommends requesting a written summary of COVID-19 related coverage and restrictions for any plan a student selects.

EMPLOYEES

If you have questions about working remotely, specific health conditions, insurance access and coverage, eligibility for sick leave or other benefits, accommodations, concerns about the health and wellbeing of other employees, or any other questions related to COVID-19 employee policies, please contact human resources.