Together Safely

Our COVID-19 team has worked closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD) to monitor coronavirus developments in our region and are following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Our COVID-19 mitigation strategy is designed to be responsive to the transmission rate status assigned to Calhoun County by the CDC. Our Together Safely COVID-19 Policy Dashboard demonstrates how policies will be implemented or relaxed based on the transmission rate in the county and our vaccination rates on campus. Requirements from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Calhoun County Public Health Department will supersede the dashboard.

Yes. Since Fall 2021, Albion is requiring all students, faculty and staff who are learning, living, teaching or working on campus to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and present proof of vaccination unless a medical or religious waiver is approved.

No. Albion College ended its indoor mask mandate on March 28, 2022 in all areas.

Yes.

Albion College, under the guidance of the Calhoun County Health Department and in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance issued on January 4, 2022, has updated its COVID-19 Quarantine and
Isolation Policies. These policies will remain in effect until further notice.

If you are determined to be a close contact to someone with COVID-19 and have:

• Been fully vaccinated and received a booster shot; or
• Received your 2nd dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months; or
• Received your single dose of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months

Then:

• You do not need to quarantine, but you must wear a mask at all times for 10 days.
• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, stay home or in your college residence and contact [email protected]
  for testing options.

If you are determined to be a close contact to someone with COVID-19 and have:

• Received your 2nd dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and have not received a
  booster shot; or
• Received your single dose of J&J vaccine over 2 months ago and have not received a booster shot; or
• Have not been fully vaccinated (unvaccinated)

Then:

• You will be placed in quarantine for five (5) days.
• If you continue to be asymptomatic, you will be released from quarantine on day 6. Individuals must
  continue to mask at all times days 6-10.
• Those that develop symptoms at any time during quarantine must test. Contact [email protected]
  for testing options.
  • If positive, you must follow isolation guidelines
  • If negative, you will remain in quarantine and follow guidance from the COVID Team which will include additional COVID-19 tests while symptoms exist. Release date will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

If you are an employee:

• Begin isolation immediately
• Stay home except to get medical care
• You MUST contact Melissa Sommers or email [email protected] to review next steps, identify potential
  close contacts, and determine appropriate timelines for return to work.

If you are a student:

• If your test was not conducted by a college employee, you MUST report all positive test results to
  [email protected] immediately.
• Normally, you will be required to go to your off campus home for isolation. If that is not possible, isolation space will be provided on campus while available.
• You must remain in isolation until your release date.
• You must report all individuals you had contact with 48 hours prior to your positive test or the onset
  of symptoms (whichever came first)

Isolation guidelines for all Albion College Students regardless of vaccination status:

• You will be contacted by a member of the Albion College COVID Team on day five (5) of isolation.
  • You will be asked if you have been fever free without medication for 24 hours or longer and if other
    symptoms are gone or *resolving.
    • If yes, you will be required to take an antigen test and if negative you will be allowed to end
      isolation and return to normal activities on day 6. You must remain masked at all times
      through day 10 including when you are around household members/roommates. If the
      antigen COVID-19 test is positive, you will be returned to isolation until day 10.
    • If no, you will remain in isolation through day 10 from the onset of symptoms or the date
      of the positive COVID-19 test. If you still have a fever on day 10, you must remain in isolation
      until you are fever-free. If your symptoms are not improving or worsening, seek medical care.

Isolation guidelines for all Albion College Faculty and Staff regardless of vaccination status:

• You will be contacted by a member of the Albion College COVID Team on day five (5) of isolation.
  • You will be asked if you have been fever free without medication for 24 hours or longer and if other
    symptoms are gone or *resolving.
    • If yes, you will be allowed to end isolation and return to normal activities on day 6. You must
      remain masked at all times through day 10 including when you are around household
      members/roommates.
      • Employees can take the extra step of receiving an antigen COVID-19 test on day 6.
        If positive, employees are to return to isolation until day 10
    • If no, you will remain in isolation through day 10 from the onset of symptoms or the date of the positive COVID-19 test. If you still have a fever on day 10, you must remain in isolation until you are fever-free. If your symptoms are not improving or worsening, seek medical care.

*“Resolving Symptoms” means your symptoms have gotten noticeably better.

Yes. We will continue to conduct wastewater testing twice per week and to perform surveillance testing of students on campus throughout the summer. We will also follow NCAA and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) COVID-19 testing guidelines for student-athletes.

To support students in maintaining the greatest degree of wellness possible, Albion College has partnered with Oaklawn Hospital to provide health care to students. Oaklawn Medical Group-Albion and the Express Care clinic are available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week during term time, and can be contacted at (517) 654-1020.

The following symptoms are associated with COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If you experience any of these symptoms between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, contact Albion’s COVID-19 team at (517) 629-0220 or [email protected], or seek medical care at the Oaklawn Medical Group-Albion and the Express Care clinic, located at 302 N Monroe St Suite A, Albion, MI 49224.

If you experience any of these symptoms after hours or on weekends, call Campus Safety at (517) 629-1234.

If you have a health issue not related to COVID-19, call Oaklawn Medical Group-Albion and the Express Care for guidance during their open hours, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, or schedule a telehealth appointment using AlbionCare.

Express Care Albion is a walk-in clinic that sees clients on a first-come, first-served basis and can be contacted at (517) 654-1020.

For after-hours care, AlbionCare is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

If you need assistance with any of the above, or with transportation, contact Campus Safety at (517) 629-1234.

Yes, alongside our surveillance testing, all students, faculty and staff can access free community testing in Washington Gardner. The testing is sponsored by the State of Michigan, is free and is available Monday and Wednesday, noon to 7 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The following options are available for vaccinations and boosters in the Albion area:

• Family Fare Pharmacy – Offering Pfizer & Moderna Boosters by appointment
• Washington Gardner –   Monday and Wednesday 12 pm-7 pm, Friday 9 am-5 pm Walk-In (Pfizer)
• Calhoun County Health Dept – Walk-In Clinic on Fridays from 8:30-10:30.  For other available times please call (517) 629-9434.  (Pfizer & Moderna)
• Hemmingsens Pharmacy – Located in Marshall, MI.  Pfizer and Moderna by appointment only.

If you need assistance finding other vaccination options in Albion, please contact the COVID-19 Team ([email protected]).

Yes.

No.

Yes.

As of September 2021, 100% of students are in compliance with Albion College’s COVID-19 vaccine policy, which requires students, faculty and staff who are returning to campus to receive the COVID-19 vaccine unless a medical or religious waiver is approved. Approximately 85% of students are vaccinated.

Yes, Albion will report the number of active cases on campus and the number of students in isolation and quarantine on a testing dashboard.