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COVID-19 Symptom Checker

All members of the campus community are strongly encouraged to use the COVID-19 Symptom Checker via the Penn State GO App on a daily basis, even when not on campus.

The Penn State GO App can be downloaded via the Apple App Store and Google Play. Once installed, be sure to choose the Faculty/Staff Experience by following these steps:

  • Download and install the app.
  • Choose "Faculty & Staff" All Campuses

The symptom checker can then be accessed at the top of the New Kensington app home screen.

COVID-19 Symptoms & Flowcharts for Employees

The University's Return to Work on campus site includes information for employees exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as guidance for supervisors.

Employees who may have any of the symptoms outlined for COVID-19 are asked to stay home or leave campus immediately, notify departmental supervisors and contact Occupational Medicine at 814-863-8492. Employees should consult with their medical provider when not feeling well.

Testing and Tracing Information

The health and safety of Penn State students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities are the University's top priorities. To that end, Penn State has developed a comprehensive COVID-19 testing strategy for all campuses that includes both required and voluntary testing during the remote learning period and the in-person portion of the spring semester. The plan is designed to be flexible to allow the University to pivot and adjust as circumstances change. 

Random Testing Information

Employee Opt-In, Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing:

For faculty and staff at Commonwealth Campus locations who work on site, opt-in asymptomatic testing via a Vault Health mail-in kit is available. Testing will continue to be available only to employees who are listed in the University’s “Return to Work” database. Employees can initiate this testing process online through Vault Health. Test kits will be mailed to home addresses and the test will be completed under virtual observation with Vault Health to complete the process.

Employees who are not in the Return to Work database or who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and call their health care provider to arrange for a symptomatic test, or schedule an appointment at a publicly available COVID-19 testing site.

Please continue to be mindful of wearing a mask, physical distancing, and hand hygiene, as these are the best prevention measures to avoid contracting COVID-19.

Contact Tracing Information:

Penn State is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Health for contact tracing. Full details of the plan can be found in a news story from August 25. 

All contact tracing will be done centrally, and Nurse Stella acts as the New Kensington campus local liaison.

The following steps outline the contact tracing process and what students and employees can expect:

  • Step 1: Penn State will identify individuals who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or presumed positive.
  • Step 2: Nursing staff will initiate contact with positive or presumed positive students and employees.
  • Step 3: Contact tracers will communicate with employees and students identified as close contacts about quarantine expectations and support.
  • Step 4: Case managers will reach out daily to students in isolation/quarantine to provide support and will notify faculty and instructors if a student is not permitted to attend class.

Vaccine Information