COVID-19

Please plan to get into the habit of carrying a well-fitting, high-quality mask, like a N95, KN95, or K94, with you at all times on campus.  

These masks are now in wide supply and available online, at the St. Olaf Bookstore, and at Northfield stores like Walgreens, Target, and Menards. 

If you have further questions or in need of assistance regarding masks, please email for assistance.

A well-fitting mask is:

• Optional for students, faculty, staff, and visitors in most situations.
• Recommended in larger indoor settings.
• May be required in certain large indoor settings.

Mask when requested by faculty and staff in classrooms and individual work spaces. Respect those who choose to mask.

A KN95/N95/KF94 mask is required in public for anyone who:

• Tests positive for COVID-19.
• Is experiencing symptoms.
• Has been exposed via a COVID-positive roommate or intimate contact.

Masking may be mandated if COVID-19 conditions worsen on campus and/or in the surrounding community.

Please note: masks with an exhalation valve, such as this Cool Flow design, are not allowed.

All students, faculty, staff, volunteers, independent contractors and staffing agency employees are required to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations based on CDC guidance.

Boosters. The CDC is recommending—and St. Olaf requires—the updated (bivalent) booster because it provides the best protection against the variants currently circulating for those working and living in a congregant community. You are eligible for the updated (bivalent) booster if it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 vaccination, whether it was part of the original primary series or a booster.

If and when this guidance changes, employees will be required to get additional boosters as indicated by CDC guidelines.

• How to get a booster: The bivalent booster is now the only booster shot being administered, and it is widely available. Local providers include Walgreens, Family Fare, Target/CVS, Cub Foods, Rice County Public Health, and the Northfield Clinic (Tu and Th appointments available to St. Olaf individuals). Find other locations in or outside of Northfield.

You must get the updated (bivalent) booster by December 31, 2022. Compliance with St. Olaf’s COVID-19 policy is a condition of employment for all faculty and staff. Those who believe they qualify for a reasonable accommodation because of a disability or sincerely held religious belief may complete one of the following forms:

• Complete this form to request a Religious Accommodation
• Complete this form to request a Disability Accommodation

Vaccine accommodation questions may be directed to VaccineAccommodation@stolaf.edu.

The College has primarily moved to a self-service model for testing.

• At-home COVID-19 tests are now widely available online or at Northfield pharmacies and grocery stores like Walgreens, Family Fare, and Target.
• You may also schedule a drive-thru test at Northfield pharmacies such as Walgreens, Family Fare, and Target/CVS.

Please note: If you haven’t already, you can order four free tests by mail through the Minnesota Department of Health.

Students: If you’re having trouble finding a rapid test, email for assistance or contact Health Services to schedule a COVID test (the college has a limited number of tests available). 

Faculty/Staff: If you need a test and are unable to source your own, please speak to your supervisor. The College has a limited number of test kits available for employees in essential roles that cannot be performed remotely. If you are feeling sick, do not come to campus to obtain a test.

Per the guidance of CDC and MDH, you may continue campus activities in-person as long as you:

• Wear a KN95/N95/KF94 mask in public, indoor settings and watch for symptoms until 10 days after your last exposure to someone with COVID-19.
• Take a COVID-19 test on Day 6 from the date of exposure even if you don’t have symptoms.
• Continue to wear a KN95/N95/KF94 mask through Day 10.

If you start to develop symptoms and test positive, report your results using the Health Reporting Form to get new instructions.

Please seek a test(s) on your own. If you’re having trouble finding a rapid test, email for assistance.

If you are experiencing symptoms:

Please remain self-isolated at home until you obtain a negative test result. Don’t socialize elsewhere or have visitors. The recent Omicron variants often take some time to produce a positive test, so you are required to follow this testing protocol if you develop symptoms:

• Day 0. This is the day that you started having symptoms. Self-isolate in your room or at home, WAIT to take a test until you’ve had symptoms for at least 24 hours.
• Day 1. You can test on Day 1. If the test is negative, you may return to daily life wearing a KN95/N95/KF94 mask and keeping your distance from others.
• Day 3. Test a second time, 48 hours after your first test. If the test is negative, you may continue with daily life wearing a KN95/N95/KF94 mask and keeping your distance from others.
• Day 5. Test a third time, 48 hours after your second test. If the test is negative and you no longer have symptoms, you may return to your normal daily routine (a mask is not required). If you test negative but have lingering symptoms then continue to mask until the symptoms subside. Let us know if you don’t improve or if your symptoms worsen.

If you have a meal plan:

• Grab a Bag Lunch, available in Stav from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Wear a mask, pick up your meal in Stav, and take it to a more private area to eat. Please return your dishes to the Cage or Stav when you are done. (You are welcome to bring the dishes to your room and return them at the next meal period.)
• Send a friend to pick up a meal for you. The friend should eat their meal first, and then come back with your card to swipe and take your meal to-go.

If you test positive:

• Report your result by submitting a Health Reporting Form.
• Isolate at home, away from others in your household if possible.
• Following your submission of the Health Reporting Form, you will receive an email with further instructions regarding your confirmed isolation period and links to helpful information.

If you have any medical questions, please contact your medical provider.

Students may also access 24/7 medical and mental telehealth care via TimelyCare.

• Report your result by submitting a Health Reporting Form.
• Isolate at home, away from others in your household if possible.
• Following your submission of the Health Reporting Form, you will receive an email with further instructions regarding your confirmed isolation period and links to helpful information.

The goal of this isolation period is to limit the transmission of COVID-19 on campus. Individuals who test positive must report their positive tests using the Health Reporting Form and then follow instructions for an eight-day isolation period.

• After reporting your test results using the Health Reporting Form you will be contacted by a case manager with further instructions.
• Those who test positive will remain in isolation for eight days.
• You may attempt to test out and return to campus life on Day 6 if your symptoms are improving and you have had no symptoms for the last 24 hours, including no fever without the help of fever-reducing medication.

For Students:

• Isolation.
  • Most students who test positive for COVID-19 will stay in their current residence hall rooms during the isolation period.
  • Students who are able to return home for the duration of their isolation period will be encouraged to do so.
  • Limited isolation space is available and will be restricted to students in specific qualifying circumstances. Case managers will work with students who may qualify for those spaces.
  • During isolation, students may spend time outside, as long as they wear a KN95/N95/KF94 mask and avoid close contact with others.

• Meals.
  • Daily meal pick up through Stav Hall for isolating students will take place from 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. unless stated otherwise.
  • You will pick up two to-go boxes for dinner for that night and lunch the following day, plus have access to a continental breakfast items if it coincides with your meal plan.
  • If you are not well enough to pick up meals, please ask a roommate or friend to make a to-go meal for you during normal dining hours by providing them with your Ole ID card. They should eat their meal first, and then come back with your card to swipe and take your meal to-go.
    • As a reminder, it’s helpful to keep a couple days’ worth of nonperishable food in your room to help get through the initial period of rest and isolation.
  • If you need assistance with your meals, please email Case Management.

For Faculty and Staff:

• Faculty and staff members may not come to campus during their isolation period.

Students

Call Health Services at 507-786-3063.

• Fall hours are Monday – Friday, 9:0am – 4:00pm
• If you are calling after hours, please leave a message with your name and return phone number.
• If you are in need of an in person visit outside of Health Service hours, call NH+C’s Northfield Clinic at 507-646-1494.
• In the case of an emergency, contact the Northfield ER at 507-646-1101 or dial 911.

Another option for students is TimelyCare, a telehealth program for students that will provide FREE 24/7 medical and mental telehealth care.

Employees

• If ever you have a physical or mental health emergency, call 911.

College staff will trace roommates and intimate contacts only. When you are named as a close contact and are not a roommate or intimate contact, you will receive an email from the College with instructions and further guidance.

Rice County

MDH Situation Update

CDC COVID Data Tracker

CDC COVID-19 Community Levels