Posted: January 5, 2021
Happy 2021! I hope you had a relaxing break and are re-charged a bit as we begin our Spring semester.
With the new year now upon us, we have a few updates for you on the COVID-19 front as it relates to employees.
Vault Health COVID-19 Test Kits: The College does not test our employees as part of our current COVID-19 employment protocols. However, the Wyoming Department of Health has provided us with a large supply of at-home saliva COVID-19 test kits. Some of you may have already ordered this free test kit from their website. These tests are available to Wyoming residents at no cost; insurance is not necessary. To distribute these, we will place a test kit for each of you in your mailbox – if you don’t need or want it, just give it back to Holly or the mailroom employee on duty. If you work in the facilities area, your supervisor will distribute the test kits to you. Again, if you don’t need or want a test kit, just give it back to your supervisor.
If you are working on campus and you do not receive a test kit and would like to have one, please send me an email.
If you are unable to come to campus to pick up a test kit, you can order one directly through the Wyoming Department of Health. They will mail the kit to you via USPS. LINK: https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/novel-coronavirus/covid-19-at-home-testing/
How is the at-home test kit administered? You will follow the directions to collect a saliva sample during a telehealth visit. You must have an Internet connection to complete this part of the process. During your telehealth visit, you will be asked to show a photo ID so the test supervisor can confirm the patient they are observing is the same person who ordered the test. You will then send your sample to the Vault laboratory for testing. Results are expected from the laboratory within 48 hours from when samples are received. If your test result is positive for the virus, the result will be reported to the Wyoming Department of Health for appropriate follow up. Be sure and follow the steps listed on your Employee COVID-19 Health Screening form (attached) as well.
Who Should Use This Test - Wyoming residents who want to know if they are positive for COVID-19.
Who Should Not Use This Test - Anyone who has had a previous positive test result in the last three months.
For more information : https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/novel-coronavirus/covid-19-at-home-testing/
FFCRA has expired: Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) has now expired. As you will recall, the FFCRA was in effect 4/1/2020 through 12/31/2020, and provided paid leave under certain conditions for absences related to COVID-19 situations. The FFCRA also included employees such as temporaries, adjuncts, and student employees who are not typically eligible for paid leave under our college programs. Going forward, for COVID-19 quarantine and isolation periods, benefitted employees may use their sick leave, annual leave, and/or Family and Medical Leave for COVID-19 absences related to illness, and/or quarantine and isolation periods. Employees may also be able to work remotely during these periods. Without FFCRA, there is currently no paid leave available for temporaries, adjuncts, and student employees. The College will, however, continue to monitor our employees’ needs and make adjustments if possible.
Daily Employee COVID-19 Health Screening Continues: Please continue to do your daily health screening (attached) or you can access it on the portal. We appreciate your compliance with these important precautions.
I hope you have a great semester and stay safe.
Should you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 754-6401 or Payroll and Benefits Specialist, Tracy Gasaway, at 754-6107.
Regards,
Jill