New York Institute of Technology
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

As of November 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported nearly 9.3 million cases of COVID-19 and 231,000 deaths in the United States since the start of the pandemic. The U.S. has also reached a new milestone of over 100,00 new cases in one day. In many states, the virus is continuing to spread. With increased transmission comes increased infections, increased hospitalizations, and increased deaths.

Mandatory preventive measures vary from state to state, and fortunately, New York State maintains fairly strict regulations regarding community mitigation, including face coverings, hand washing, and physical distancing. This has resulted in New York having the third-lowest positivity rate in the country.

To prevent the spread of the virus from individuals who may visit New York, the New York State Health Department recently updated its quarantine recommendations. The 14-day mandatory quarantine has been modified to include a testing protocol and shorter amount of time required for quarantine. The main components of the new regulations are:
Anyone who is found to test positive during this process will be notified by the local health department for mandatory isolation and contact tracing as necessary. More information on state guidelines and regulations can be found here. This testing option to avoid the 14-day quarantine is also available to travelers entering New York from a CDC Level 2 or 3 Travel Health Notice country. The New York State website will be updated in the near future to reflect this new policy.

Our colleagues at the NYITCOM campus in Arkansas should be commended for working closely with the local and state health departments to combat the virus. The State of Arkansas recently had a record number of cases and deaths as well as an increase in hospitalizations. Our colleagues have become an integral part of the public health response, assisting with education, testing (particularly in rural areas), contact tracing, and serving as medical advisors to local and state governments.

New Campus Entry Protocol

In an attempt to further mitigate any community spread on our campuses, effective November 9, 2020, we will implement an additional health protocol of onsite temperature checks at the main entry points on our New York campuses (1855 Broadway in New York City and Main Campus Road in Long Island). These temperature checks will be conducted in addition to the online health questionnaire for students and staff/visitors. During flu season, this additional step will help reduce the risk of transmission of influenza, SARS Cov-2, and other communicable viruses.

As always, the community is welcome to make an appointment for a COVID test or flu shot at the Academic Health Care Center in Long Island by calling 516.686.1300. Those who may continue to feel anxious or uneasy may reach out to Counseling and Wellness Services at our campuses in Long Island (516.686.7683) or New York City (212.261.1773) to talk or make a virtual appointment.

Sincerely,

Brian L. Harper, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Medical Officer, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
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