Fall 2023

Updated Sep.5, 2023

The Virus Action Team (VAT) has overseen the university's COVID-19 mitigation efforts for the past two years. By the first day of Fall semester classes, the Community Health Advisory Team (CHAT) will oversee public health disease prevention and mitigation. CHAT will also oversee future communications regarding the status of COVID-19 and/or other community health information. 

Current Mitigation Efforts

·   As we have done the past two years, GVSU continues to follow CDC guidance and local public health department's recommendations. We continue to use a set of indicators that inform decisions about the current alert level and face covering requirements. Since May, we have been at Level 0, which means that masks are optional in all campus locations, although faculty members can request their students wear face masks in class. See the Face Covering Policy for more details. We expect to remain at Level 0 on August 29, the first day of classes.    

·   The self-assessment tool is no longer required. We ask all Lakers to continue to self-monitor and engage in healthy social behaviors (i.e., handwashing, staying home when sick, testing for COVID-19 if symptomatic).

Annis Water Resources Institute, SARS CoV 2 Wastewater Surveillance Report

Updated Sep.5, 2023

Based on World Health Organization guidance for wastewater-based surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, the following at-risk levels are denoted for public health action guidance and intervention strategies based on viral concentrations detected in wastewater. The interim guidance sheet can be found here: www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-HEP-ECH-WSH-2022.1
• Level 0: Viral RNA concentration is non-detect. No response is needed.
• Level 1: Viral RNA concentration is 10¹-10³ gene copies/100 ml. Suggested action includes enhanced education and awareness. The suggestion of masking in crowded areas, utilization of sanitization stations, and general health education on symptoms and distancing.
• Level 2: Viral RNA concentration is 10,000-10,00,000 gene copies/100 mL Suggested response action includes increased campus community clinical testing promotion and awareness strategies for affected area residents.
• Level 3: Viral RNA concentration is greater than 10,00,000 gene copies/100 ml. Suggested response action includes isolation and switches to remote activities in addition to previously mentioned strategies for interventions in Levels 1 and 2.