COVID-19

University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis is closely monitoring developments related to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Spring 2022 Campus Updates 

"Mask Optional" Policy 

Effective March 7, the University will move to a "mask optional" policy for ALL campus spaces, including classrooms, laboratories, dorms and common areas. The "mask optional" policy also applies to social events of any size, with or without food, and there will be no limit on event gathering sizes at this time.

Our move to "mask optional" reflects updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which indicates that universal masking requirements are not necessary to prevent a public health crisis in places where hospital systems are not overwhelmed and case rates are appropriately low. The St. Louis metro area currently meets both criteria.

We will continue to monitor local and national case rates and CDC guidance, and make any changes necessary to our mitigation policies to continue to protect the campus community as needed.

Wellness Check Form 

Individuals without COVID-19 symptoms or exposures no longer need to complete a form. Faculty, staff, students and visitors are still required to report COVID-19 symptoms and positive exposures through the UHSP Wellness Check Form. 

Weekly Testing for Unvaccinated Individuals

Given the significant reduction in COVID-19 cases, the University has suspended its weekly testing requirement for community members who are unvaccinated because of a religious or medical exemption. This mitigation tool may be reinstated if COVID-19 case rates increase.

COVID-19 Booster Shots

The University is not requiring the a COVID-19 booster shot at this time, but may do so in the future. Consistent with the current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we are strongly encouraging all eligible students, faculty and staff to receive a booster shot (5-6 months after last Pfizer/Moderna and two months after the last Johnson and Johnson dose).

Recent data regarding the Omicron variant confirms that severe illness is very rare for most people who are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster shots, and that vaccination significantly reduces the risk of developing long-COVID.

The University will continue to evaluate its booster requirement based upon additional health and safety considerations that may emerge, best practices seen at other colleges and universities, and other future regulatory requirements.

Members of the campus community are also reminded that boosters are available through their local pharmacies or health care providers.

After receiving a booster, students, faculty and staff should update their vaccination records in Complio or Paycom, respectively. Individuals who have already been approved for a COVID-19 vaccine exemption are not expected to receive a booster or request an additional exemption.

Those with questions related to the University's COVID-19 response may contact Carlin Harp, emergency management coordinator, at carlin.harp@uhsp.edu or 314.446.8133. Faculty and staff with questions or concerns related to work arrangements may contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@uhsp.edu.

Local Information 

Up-to-date information for the State of Missouri and city of St. Louis can be found online via:

• City of St. Louis Department of Health: COVID-19 Coronavirus Information
• Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services

The University will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and communicate additional response actions to the campus community as needed. 

Campus Updates and Announcements

The University’s leadership team is monitoring reports and recommendations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will issue communication to the campus community as needed.

• March 4, 2022: COVID-19 Campus Update
• Jan. 20, 2022: COVID Update
• Jan. 11, 2022: COVID Wellness Check Form and Updates
• Jan. 4, 2022: Return to Campus Update Spring 2022
• Sept. 1, 2021: Statement to University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Faculty and Staff
• Aug. 10, 2021: Statement to University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Faculty and Staff
• July 23, 2021: Statement to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Community
• July 15, 2021: Statement to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Community
• July 8, 2021: Statement to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Community

Students, faculty and staff should monitor their University email accounts for additional information on specific topics.

Learn More

For questions about the University’s response or for more information, contact Eric Knoll, vice president of operations, at eric.knoll@uhsp.edu or 314.446.8375.

You can also enroll in the University's opt-in Emergency Notification System to receive text alerts on multiple devices and register secondary email addresses for notifications.