LATEST UPDATES
Drexel University no longer requires COVID vaccination as of April 11th, 2023, based on current science and City of Philadelphia regulations. HOWEVER, the University and the CDC strongly recommend full COVID vaccination and booster shots for all students and employees who are eligible, including the bivalent booster. Students can get their vaccine, including boosters, through Student Health (call 215.220.4700). Learn more about COVID vaccination and boosters.
Drexel’s Race Hall COVID testing site closed on March 24, meaning that employee COVID PCR testing is no longer available. Employees are advised to use rapid home tests as needed. Students can still obtain free PCR or rapid antigen tests through Student Health (you can schedule a PCR test through the Drexel Health Checker, or stop by the Student Health Center for a rapid antigen test). Please report all positive COVID test results through the Drexel Health Checker and fill out any health assessment emails you receive.
If you feel sick, get tested, stay home until you are well, and follow the guidelines below.
COVID-19 GUIDELINES
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Drexel has taken measures to keep our campus community healthier and safer in the face of constantly evolving science and an ever-changing disease landscape. From mask-wearing to vaccination to testing, here are the latest guidelines and health information related to the coronavirus.
More Information for Students Drexel Health Checker University Messages
IF YOU ARE INFECTED OR EXPOSED TO COVID-19
| What should I do if... |
| I have a positive COVID-19 test? |
I have COVID-19 symptoms?
|
I was exposed to COVID-19? |
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Notify Drexel through the Drexel Health Checker.
- Stay home and isolate for 5 days after positive test.
- Report test results through Drexel Health Checker if test was obtained outside of Drexel.
- Expect a call from Drexel Contact Tracing, and an email with home care instructions.
- Students cannot return to class until cleared by the contact tracing team.
- Employees should follow CDC guidelines to determine when to return to work.
- Wear a mask around other people at all times for 5 days after isolation ends.
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- Stay home and take a test* within 24 hours.
- Isolate until test results return.
- Negative test result: Continue to stay home until symptoms end, then return to normal activity. Retest after 48 hours if still symptomatic.
- Positive test result: See positive test instructions.
- Wear a well-fitting, high-filtration face mask around others while you have symptoms, even if you test negative.
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- You may be contacted by Drexel Contact Tracing.
- In all cases
of exposure:
- Take a test (or retest)* 5 days from last exposure. If you
test positive on day 5, follow "positive test" directions.
- For 10 days after last exposure, wear a well-fitting, high-filtration mask around others and self-monitor for symptoms.
- If you have no symptoms, you can otherwise continue normal activity.
- If you have symptoms, stay home and schedule a test within 24 hours.*
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*If you are a student, you can schedule a test through the Drexel Health Checker. Otherwise please use an at-home testing kit.
NOTE: If you have severe or worsening COVID symptoms, please speak with a medical professional. Students can schedule an appointment at Student Health by calling (215) 220-4700 (if calling after work hours, select option 5 to speak with an on-call doctor).
More Information for Students Who Test Positive
If you are infected or have symptoms of COVID-19, first, stay home and self-isolate (separate yourself from others in your household). If you have symptoms and are concerned about your health, seek medical care by calling your primary care physician and ask to be evaluated for COVID-19. Immediately after calling your provider, please contact covid19health@drexel.edu and provide your name and phone number. A Drexel representative will contact you and continue to monitor your symptoms. It is imperative that the University is aware of any exposure risk to members of the Drexel community.
Follow CDC guidelines to determine when to return to work. Wear a face mask around others (including in all Drexel spaces) for 5 days after the end of your isolation period.
Unable to work due to COVID-19
If you are unable to work due to COVID-19, please email covid19health@drexel.edu. Effective through Dec. 31, 2023, per the City of Philadelphia’s Paid COVID-19 Leave Ordinance, all full-time and part-time benefit-eligible Drexel employees are provided up to 40 hours (or one work week) of COVID paid leave that will be reflected in DrexelOne as a separate leave code, C19. Employees will be able to use the COVID paid leave when they are unable to work for more than three days because they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or because they are caring for a family member with COVID-19. Eligibility and procedures for utilizing Paid Covid-19 Leave Time are posted on the Drexel Human Resources website. Please email loa@drexel.edu with any questions.
If you are unable to work for a longer period of time because you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or because you are caring for a family member with COVID-19, you may be eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or Drexel’s Non‐FMLA Medical Leave policy. Faculty and professional staff members are encouraged to contact our Leave of Absence Administrator, Lincoln Financial Group. You may file for a leave of absence by phone at 1.888.992.0549 or online by logging in to DrexelOne and selecting “Leave of Absence” in the Benefits Administration section under the “Employee” tab. Go to FMLA or Drexel’s Non‐FMLA Medical Leave policy for more information.
For more information on how to care for yourself or someone else who is sick, visit the CDC COVID-19 website.
VACCINATION AND BOOSTERS
Drexel and the CDC strongly recommend full COVID vaccination and booster shots, including the bivalent booster, for all students and employees who are eligible. Health care students and employees may be required to be up to date with COVID vaccination by their School or College.
Drexel students can sign up for vaccination or booster shots through Student Health (call 215.220.4700). Learn more about COVID vaccination and boosters.
Learn about Drexel's other vaccination requirements.
If you have a question or want more information, email covid19questions@drexel.edu or visit the CDC's COVID-19 website.
MASKS
Mask wearing is RECOMMENDED in all indoor campus locations during periods of medium and high viral transmission.
Drexel REQUIRES mask-wearing in the following locations, regardless of vaccination status:
- All health care facilities—including, but not limited to: Student Health Services, Occupational Health Services, and the Counseling Center.
- All health care rotations (CNHP, COM, Co-op Health Care Positions).
See CDC mask guidelines here.
Drexel will provide KN95 and/or KF94 high filtration masks to students who request them. Request a mask at Hagerty Library, DAC, Recreation Center, Main Building Lobby, Kline School of Law, New College Building lobby, and the Queen Lane security desk.
Students should contact disability@drexel.edu and staff/faculty should contact their HR business partner to request a reasonable accommodation if needed.
COVID-19 Testing
Please use a rapid test when needed. Report any positive results through the Drexel Health Checker and Drexel will follow up. Students can still obtain free PCR or rapid antigen tests through Student Health (you can schedule a PCR test through the Drexel Health Checker).
If you recently tested positive, follow the instructions above under "If You Are Infected or Exposed".
Other Guidelines
Planning events during times of regional increases in COVID-19 transmission should be done with careful attention to COVID safety, including ventilation in the planned location. Events can include Drexel students, employees and outside guests considered to be visitors to campus. Event hosts who are employees should work with Event Services for reservations and setups. Students should work with Student Life.
Drexel continues to follow CDC and OSHA guidelines to ensure that all spaces on campus are as safe as possible. If you have questions about facilities safety or concerns about your specific work space/classroom, please speak to your building manager and/or department manager. Departmental concerns should be brought to the attention of EHRS so that spaces of concern can be verified/evaluated as needed.
Make sure you have signed up for the Drexel Health Checker. You will use the Health Checker to record your vaccination status, make testing appointments (if you are a student), receive important notifications, and record outside test results.
MORE INFORMATION
If you have questions about COVID-19 and Drexel, email covid19questions@drexel.edu. Visit the CDC’s coronavirus website for additional information about COVID-19.