Department of Health
USD encourages COVID-19 tests before break
With only two days left until the campus is vacated and students return home for spring break, the university is preparing for the COVID-19 repercussions that could be seen after the Coyotes reconvene after the break. USD is continually stressing the importance of getting tested and is offering students “Know Before You Go” PCR testing […]
Brief: USD to offer free rapid testing for COVID-19 on campus
USD will be offering free rapid COVID-19 testing in room 212 of the Muenster University Center 5 days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Feb. 8. The BinaxNOW antigen test, paid for by the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH), provides results in 15 minutes. Those tested will self-collect nasal swab samples […]
South Dakota near top in vaccine distribution
Since the certification of the Moderna and Phizer COVID-19 vaccines in December, there has been a light at the end of the tunnel for this historic pandemic the world is experiencing. However, some states have been getting closer to the end faster than others. South Dakota is one of these few states as the state […]
USD spring semester COVID plans and vaccine rollout
The spring semester is underway, and while classes and professors may change from the fall, one thing hasn’t. The COVID-19 pandemic is still a threat to campus life and classrooms, yet USD is prepared to handle any outbreaks and the upcoming vaccine rollout this spring. As students are welcomed back to campus all staff and […]
USD offers additional COVID-19 testing
USD’s Sentinel Testing program is now allowing up to 100 volunteers per week to participate in COVID-19 testing in addition to randomly selected students, faculty and staff. The change to the program came in response to numerous requests for volunteer testing, according to an email sent to the student body. Anyone who is asymptomatic, has […]
USD, Department of Health partner to monitor COVID-19 cases on campus
As of Oct. 20, the USD COVID-19 dashboard was reporting 41 active cases among students and faculty, with 174 individuals in quarantine or isolation. All statistics provided in the dashboard are self reported, and there are no requirements in place for USD students to report if they have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. Kevin […]
USD implements random COVID-19 tests for asymptomatic campus population
To assess whether it needs to implement further safety measures on campus, USD has begun weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing of asymptomatic students and staff. Kevin O’Kelley, member of USD’s COVID-19 task force, said the testing of asymptomatic students and staff is one of three COVID-19 testing programs on campus. The second is the testing of […]
New CARE Team collects research to aid in USD’s, South Dakota’s COVID-19 response
USD’s School of Health Sciences has created the Community Action Response Epidemiology (CARE) team to partner with the South Dakota Department of Health and the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board to provide contact tracing, health promotion and comprehensive services to the state of South Dakota. Susan Puumala, the project director of the CARE team, […]