COVID-19: Moving Forward
- Student Health: 717-531-5998
- University-provided resources and links
- Biosafety: 717-531-5573, 717-531-0003, ext. 289844 or BiosafetyOfficer@
pennstatehealth.psu.edu - COM HR: askCOMHR@
All requests for media interviews should be made through the Office of Marketing and Communications.
Any Penn State Health/Penn State College of Medicine employee who is contacted by a member of the media should direct the media contact to the following numbers:
COVID-19 status: College of Medicine
Masking is required in Penn State Health and College of Medicine facilities in certain scenarios, such as:
- When experiencing a runny nose, sore throat or cough (even if possibly due to allergies) – mask should be worn when within 6 feet of anyone on campus (including co-workers).
- For at least a full 10 days after a higher-risk (as defined in the Employee Return to Work and Work Restrictions resource) exposure or after isolation start date if positive for COVID.
View full masking guidelines (includes information about gatherings and masking while in patient care). (PDF download; Penn State Sharepoint login required) | View masking guidelines in Penn State Health policy portal (ePass login required).
Employee Return-to Work and Work Restrictions Related to COVID-19
Employees of Penn State College of Medicine follow the same guidelines as employees of Penn State Health. View the employee guidelines related to COVID-19 infection and exposure in Penn State Health policy portal (ePass login required).
Student Policy for COVID-19 Reporting and Quarantine
Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or exposure to COVID-19 are expected to take the steps outlined on the Student Health COVID-19 page. The guidelines include information on testing, masking and isolation in different scenarios.
Human Subjects Research
The Revised Standards for In-Person Human Subjects Research were retired on December 13, 2022, and are no longer in effect. Study teams are strongly encouraged to follow Best Practices for Conducting In-person Human Subjects Research (or see below). Moving forward, in-person research no longer requires review by the COVID Safety Committee via InfoReady. Studies previously approved through InfoReady are encouraged to continue the practices outlined in their protocols.
- Vaccination: It is strongly recommended that study staff be fully vaccinated (full regimen, including boosters).
- Screening: Participants should be screened for transmissible viruses and diseases, such as COVID and influenza. Follow University or College of Medicine screening scripts.
- Clean and disinfect: Study teams utilize standard cleaning procedures, particularly for shared surfaces and equipment.
- Masking: Study teams should utilize masking as appropriate, particularly during times of high transmission. At the College of Medicine and Penn State Health, follow current masking guidelines.
College of Medicine COVID-19 response
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State College of Medicine faculty, staff and students contributed to research on new treatments and public health trends, while supporting Penn State Health's COVID-19 response. Today, research efforts focus on the long term health impacts of the pandemic on society.