Coronavirus Information

 

COVID-19 has reached new stages as vaccination, testing availability, treatments and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to evolve. Being up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations remains the best protection against serious disease and death. 

 

  • Students are encouraged to reach out to Student Health Services if they are ill.
  • Students who are COVID-19 positive should let their instructors know of their absence and follow this guidance: Isolation Information (Updated August 2023)
  • Students who have a positive home test are encouraged to notify Student Health Services by email.
  • All staff, faculty and students are encouraged to stay home if ill or have tested positive for COVID-19 and follow CDC guidance for isolation, testing and mask wearing.
    • Employees who are COVID-19 positive should notify their supervisor of their absence and follow CDC guidance for isolation
    • Employees should manage their own personal health measures for COVID-19, like other contagious illnesses: stay home and contact your health care provider if you are ill.
  • Are you a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case? Learn what to do using this guidance: Close Contact Notification (Updated August 2023)
  • Use CDC's isolation and exposure calculator to determine your dates of isolation or taking extra precautions if exposed to COVID-19 .

1. GET VACCINATED

S&T encourages all students, faculty and staff to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination.

Local pharmacies and the Phelps/Maries County Health Department offer COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment.  Please visit their websites for more information. 
Visit vaccines.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you by searching for vaccine offered, zip code, and search radius.

If you were vaccinated outside of the U.S. with a World Health Organization listed vaccination, the CDC recommends you receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) booster dose(s) when eligible.

 

2. GET TESTED

If you have common cold-like symptoms (nasal congestion, sore throat, cough), fever, loss of or change in taste or smell or are worried you might have COVID-19, isolate and get tested. Student Health offers COVID-19 testing to students by appointment or online through the Patient Portal. Call 573-341-4284 to schedule an appointment.  Student Health prefers you be evaluated if you are ill as there could be other reasons for illness, but if you have a home COVID-19 test, follow the manufacturer’s directions. If you have symptoms, the recommendation is to continue to isolate and repeat a home test in 24-48 hours if the first test is negative and you still have symptoms. 

Local pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens also offer COVID-19 testing by appointment.  Visit their websites for more information.  Local urgent care clinics at Phelps Health Immediate Care, Mercy Convenient Care, Rolla Family Clinic, Four Rivers Community Health Center offer COVID-19 testing, but you may incur an office visit charge.

Locate a COVID-19 testing site here.

 

3. MASKS

Masks can help protect you and others from COVID-19. You may choose to wear a mask or respirator in certain situations, such as when you are with people at higher risk for severe illness, if you are at higher risk for severe illness, if community transmission is high, and of course, if you have symptoms of illness. Learn more about different types of masks and respirators here. 

Masks are still required in Student Health Services.

 

4. WHEN NOT TO COME TO CAMPUS

If you tested positive for COVID-19 and are in isolation. View a helpful document here: Isolation Information (Updated August 2023)

If you have symptoms of or are worried you might have Covid-19 (these are typically mild common cold-like or allergy symptoms).  Isolate and get tested.

If you have been exposed to someone who tests positive for or is suspected of having COVID-19, you may come to campus wearing a mask. Please follow the Close Contact Notification (Updated August 2023)  information based on CDC guidance.

 

5. GET A FLU SHOT

Influenza cases typically occur November through March and can cause prolonged fever and missed academics.  Student Health Services offers the influenza vaccine to students by appointment and can bill insurance for this.  Pharmacies and clinics also offer influenza vaccines.  Influenza vaccines are typically given starting in September through February, but best to get by November each year.

 

ANY QUESTIONS

Email mstshs@mst.edu or call Student Health Services 573-341-4284.

GENERAL TRAVEL GUIDANCE

  • All travelers (university-related and/or personal) and those leaders approving travel should closely review and follow the CDC's recommendations for travel
  • Travelers are encouraged to be up-to-date (which includes booster doses to those eligible) on COVID-19 vaccinations prior to any travel and may be required for certain destinations or for returning to the U.S. if traveling internationally. 

 

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

  • Guidance for travel is continually changing. Be sure to review the CDC and the US. Department of State requirements and recommendations for travel. 
  • As of May 12, 2023, all international travelers arriving to the U.S. will no longer be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Being up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations which includes a booster dose is highly recommended prior to any travel, but not required for travel to the U.S.
  • If you were vaccinated outside of the U.S., you may receive a booster dose, if eligible, in the U.S. with an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna)
  • The CDC advises not to travel if you have tested positive for or suspect you have COVID-19 until you have ended isolation. If you have been exposed to COVID-19 , follow these precautions if you travel. If this applies to you or you have questions or concerns, please email S&T Student Health Services.
  • During travel: Follow these precautions to help protect yourself and others from severe illness from COVID-19
  • After travel: monitor for symptoms, isolate, and get tested if you develop symptoms.

 

STUDENT COVID-19 TESTING FOR TRAVEL OR EVENTS

  • If you are a current student needing testing for travel or an event, you will need to research the specific Covid-19 testing requirements for your destination and for your return to the U.S., if travelling internationally.Covid-19 vaccination is strongly encouraged, especially prior to any travel and may be required for certain destinations. Travelers are encouraged to be up-to-date (which includes booster doses to those eligible) on COVID-19 vaccinations prior to any travel and may be required for certain destinations or events. 
  • Many international destinations may require specifically PCR/NAAT Covid-19 testing with results usually within 72 hours of travel.You need to review with your destination and the airline on your specific needs and plan accordingly.  Some destinations or events will accept rapid antigen testing which can be scheduled at Student Health with results in 15 minutes.
  • Student Health Services works with the Phelps Health and Quest labs for PCR testing with results typically within 48 hours. You will need to call and make an appointment at Student Health for this testing. Insurance information is submitted to the lab with the testing, but there is no guarantee that insurance will cover testing for travel.
  • Student Health Services is not open on Saturdays, Sundays, or campus holidays/closures, so if your travel plans require your testing to be done during those times, you will need to make other arrangements.
  • Walgreens and CVS offer COVID-19 PCR/NAAT/Rapid Antigen testing by appointment.  There could be charges incurred for this testing.  Locate a COVID-19 testing site in the U.S. 
  • Phelps Health Immediate Care located at 603 S. Bishop Avenue (573-364-4411) and Rolla Family Clinic located at 416 S. Bishop Avenue (573-426-5900) also offer PCR/NAAT testing, but may include an office visit charge as well. You may call them to discuss their fees and services. 
  • There are rapid PCR/NAAT testing sites near the St Louis and Chicago airports. Appointments are usually required, and their websites review costs and scheduling.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

If you are coming to Missouri S&T from outside of the United States, please review the International Student section of this website.

If you are a visiting scholar, please review the Visiting Scholars section of this website.

CDC Data Tracker U.S.

Missouri Weekly COVID-19 Data Report

CDC Wastewater Surveillance Data

Missouri Sewershed Surveillance Project

Worldwide Data

(Last updated 8/17/23)