The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine has returned to in-person instruction and on-campus activities for the Spring 2022 semester, in accordance with state and public health guidelines. Some large group lectures are being provided using an online or hybrid model, but student doctors are welcome to attend in person.
With coronavirus transmission rates still high in the Treasure Valley and around the state, ICOM’s COVID-19 Task Force continues to meet regularly to evaluate these changing pandemic conditions and make operational adjustments as needed. ICOM is committed to maintaining an environment where students can safely receive their education.
Cloth face coverings are required indoors for all individuals — regardless of vaccination status — unless alone in a private office, study room, or workspace. N-95 masks are required for close-contact in-person training. ICOM is not enforcing physical distancing requirements, and face coverings are not required when outside.
Student doctors and employees are asked to immediately report symptoms, known exposures, and positive COVID tests. On-campus contact tracing is being performed and ICOM’s response to exposures has been updated in accordance with updated recommendations from the CDC.
Updated CDC guidance (updated Dec. 27, 2021) states individuals with COVID-19 should isolate for five days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by five days of wearing a mask when around others. Additionally, the CDC is updating the recommended quarantine period for anyone in the general public who is exposed to COVID-19. For individuals unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, the CDC now recommends quarantine for five days, followed by strict mask use for an additional five days. Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure, according to the CDC. For all those exposed, best practice would also include a test for SARS-CoV-2 on the fifth day after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.
ICOM does not mandate the vaccine, but it is highly encouraged. Unvaccinated students may not be able to complete their medical training and meet graduation requirements, since the majority of the College’s clinical partners require the vaccine for third- and fourth-year clinical rotations.
ICOM encourages students, faculty, staff and visitors to remain diligent with sanitization and personal hygiene, and to remain off campus if experiencing symptoms concerning for COVID.
ICOM now has COVID test kits available free of charge for students and employees in need. Students should contact Liz Watson, Director of Student Affairs, and employees should contact Shannon Blackstock, Director of Human Resources, to request a kit. If you are asymptomatic and on campus, a requested kit may be picked up at the front desk from security. If you are symptomatic, please do not enter the facility. We will place your requested test kit in the drop box outside the building, next to the back entrance. You must first request the test kit by email or in-person.
Questions or concerns from students should be directed to Liz Watson. Employees should contact Shannon Blackstock.