Extending Remote Working Through Friday, April 17

With the continued spread of coronavirus in Colorado, and the recent stay-at-home orders from local and state officials, we are extending remote working through Friday, April 17. 

This extension applies to faculty and staff currently approved to work remotely. As always, those with clinical responsibilities should consult with their clinical supervisors. 

New Stay-at-Home Orders 

Prior to Governor Jared Polis’ statewide stay-at-home order announced yesterday, additional Colorado counties, including Arapahoe county, issued stay-at-home orders through mid-April. While we have extended our remote working timeline, it’s important to remember that the other operational policies in place at CU Anschutz remain unchanged. 

Critical faculty and approved staff ONLY are to be working on campus. It is required that all critical faculty and staff members must carry their CU Anschutz badge on campus and in transit to and from campus.

More details on Colorado’s executive and public health orders are available on the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website.

We remind you to continue following prevention protocols and practicing social/physical distancing to keep yourself and others healthy and safe. These practices are vital for approved critical faculty and staff working on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Please avoid person-to-person contact and continue refraining from in-person meetings, and keep at least 6 feet (or the length of skis) between yourself and others.

Campus Reminders

• To request a critical research exception, please submit to ResearchApprovals@cuanschutz.edu. For administrative critical staff exceptions, please submit to AdminExceptions@cuanschutz.edu. To request a student exception please submit to jan.gascoigne@cuanschutz.edu.
• For critical staff, please take trash and recycling containers out of your offices and workstations each evening, and leave them in the hallways for housekeeping.
• Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs) were previously due from each school and department by March 20, and many have yet to be submitted. However, we realize there are other critical, time-sensitive activities happening now with regard to fulfilling our missions. If you have staff with available bandwidth to work on your COOP, please do so. We recognize we are living these plans now, so please put your resources where they are needed most urgently. Please contact michael.bear@cuanschutz.edu with questions.
• Our PPE and supply drive continues through this week. Learn more here.

Guidance on COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms

Given the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 in the community, if you experience the symptoms below, there is a significant risk that you have COVID-19.

• New cough
• New shortness of breath
• New fever
• Loss of sense of smell*

*While not scientifically proven, loss of sense of smell may be a potential early sign of COVID-19. 

What to do if symptomatic

• If you are symptomatic, you should do the following:
• Let your supervisor or professor know, and submit a CU Anschutz self-report form.
• Stay home, and contact your primary care provider by phone or email. If you do not have a primary care provider, please call the Campus Health Center (303-724-6242). Tell them your symptoms, and follow their recommendations.
• The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) is prioritizing tests for individuals who are high risk, health providers, or hospitalized. Consequently, you may not be able to be tested.
• Per CDPHE guidance on COVID-19 testing, if a provider recommends you get testing or care, follow the provider’s advice BEFORE going into any health facility. Ask your provider about private lab sites where you can get tested. Testing is free. Proof of insurance is not required. You must have an order from your healthcare provider.
• DO NOT go to an emergency room to get a test for COVID-19 unless you are having a medical emergency. For COVID-19, that means severe respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath or breathing difficulties.
• DO call 911 or go to an emergency room if you are having a medical emergency. Tell the dispatcher your symptoms.
• CDPHE recommends that unless you are tested and confirmed to be negative for COVID-19, you should assume that what you have is COVID-19, and self-isolate until:
  • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is 3 full days of no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication like Tylenol); AND
  • Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved); AND
  • At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

Thank you for your cooperation and attention. Please continue to visit www.cuanschutz.edu/coronavirus for up-to-date information and resources.