Health ServicesCovid-19 Information & Updates

If you test positive for Covid-19, please enter your information in this self-reporting form.  Once you complete this form, you will receive an email with detailed instructions.

 

Updated January 24, 2023

Dear Students:

As we prepare for the return of all students to campus, I am writing to update you on our COVID-19 protocols for the start of the spring semester. Please keep in mind that these measures are best practices for many of the upper respiratory infections, including the flu, that are currently prevalent.

Testing

Please get tested for COVID-19 before you return to campus to ensure that you do not travel while you are sick. Consult CDC guidelines for up-to-date travel and health guidance.

Students returning to campus should take a rapid antigen test immediately upon return. (Kits will be available in Val.) 

You may also take a COVID-19 PCR test at the Testing Center. The Center’s hours have changed, so be sure to check the website for up-to-date information. 

COVID-19 antigen tests are available 24/7 at the Service/Police Building in the lobby.

If you test positive for COVID-19, please be sure to report your results to the College via the Self-Reporting Form. 

Masking

Masking will remain optional and welcomed everywhere on campus. Anyone who is symptomatic should wear a mask and immediately test for COVID-19

Please be especially conscientious about wearing a mask if you have any upper respiratory symptoms to protect the health of other community members.

Masks are required in the Keefe Health Center and the COVID-19 Testing Center.

When masking, please wear well-fitting KN-95 masks, which are available at the Testing Center.

Individuals are expected to comply with requests to wear a mask when interacting closely with others. Please be respectful of those who choose to wear a mask.

We will continue to carefully monitor local, regional and national health conditions and adjust our policies when/as needed. If you have questions, please direct them to covidtesting@amherst.edu. 

I wish you all the best as you start the spring semester!

Emily Jones M.D.

Medical Director Student Health Services

Dear New and Returning Students,

With the COVID19 pandemic a part of your everyday life, it is of vital importance to understand how to attend to your health care needs when you arrive on campus.

Below are changes that have been made to start the fall semester in response to the COVID19 pandemic.

Routine COVID testing for students without any symptoms of illness will continue to be done at Alumni House. Please refer to Fall 2022 Health & Safety Protocols for most current testing requirements.

Accessing care at the Keefe Health Center is by appointment only. To book an appointment, call 413-542-2267 or email www.healthservice@amherst.edu. elehealth appointments are available and may be recommended by Health Services staff when appropriate. 

ACUTE CARE CLINIC: The Acute Care Clinic is located on the first floor of Residence Hall A (Formerly Taplin). To start off the Fall 2022 semester - we will not be routinely using the Acute Care Clinic and all appointments will be at Keefe Health Center.  Depending on the volume of appointments and status of illness on campus, you may be directed to the acute care clinic in the future.  

CHECK-IN PROCEDURE: In-person appointments at the Health Center will be checked-in either from outside of the building via your mobile device or at one of the computer kiosks in the Health Center waiting room.  

PRESCRIPTIONS: For those looking to access prescriptions from the Health Center, prescription pick up and drop off will be done from outside the Health Center on the porch accessed from the parking lot on the Residence Hall A (formerly Taplin Hall) side of the building. There will be signs clearly marking this area. Hours for prescription pick-up and drop off are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Wednesdays 10 am- 4:30 pm.

EMERGENCY CARE: Amherst College has its own 24-hour dispatcher. The emergency phone number is 413-542-2111. Please program this into your cell phone if you have one.

The Keefe Health Center Staff welcomes you to campus. Please let us know of any questions that you may have. We will work with you to preserve wellness and prevent illness as best we can during these challenging times. There will continue to be updates and changes. Please see our website for the most current information.

7.19.2022

Amherst College is requiring that all students be fully vaccinated and up to date with the reccomended booster against Covid-19 before returning to campus for the fall 2022 semester. Students should verify that they are fully vaccinated prior to their fall 2022 arrival by uploading vaccine records to the Keefe Health Center patient portal. Please submit documentation through our patient portal by logging in, clicking on the upload tab, and selecting “Covid vaccine documentation” to upload the paperwork.  For international students or others who do not have access to full vaccination with an approved vaccine prior to arrival, the health center will help with obtaining the vaccine in the Amherst area upon arrival. It is our hope that these vaccination requirements for all students will provide additional protection for everyone in our community and be reassuring to you personally as we begin to return to campus in August. To review information on benefits of the vaccine, please click on the following link.

We are currently accepting any vaccine approved by the WHO.

Requests for medical or religious exemptions will be reviewed and accommodated on a case-by-case basis.

Request for COVID-19 Vaccine Religious Exemption

Request for COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Exemption

The college is aware that students may have a medical condition that does not allow for vaccination. Medical exemption can be requested by submitting a letter of explanation from a licensed medical provider (i.e.; MD, DO, NP, PA) who is not a family member. The letter must include the student’s name and date of birth and be submitted to Keefe Health Center via fax, email, portal upload, or mail. Qualifying medical conditions include history of severe or immediate allergic reaction of varying degrees to a previous dose or component of the Covid-19 vaccine, known diagnosed allergy to a component of the Covid-19 vaccine, or other significant medical condition described by the medical provider.  Requests will be reviewed by a medical professional and, if found to meet qualifications, approved within 10 business days.  

7.19.2022