COVID-19 Information
On this page:
- Messages to Campus
- Symptoms, Precautions & Resources
- Official COVID-19 Information Sources
- Pennsylvania Departamento de salud
- Travel Information
- News Coverage
UPDATED: December 13, 2021
As of August 2, 2021 masks must be worn inside all campus facilities. The indoor mask mandate will remain in place for the spring 2022 semester, on the recommendation of local health officials.
Moravian University is not mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for our community, but all students will be required to share their vaccine status with the Campus Health Center.
If you have not submitted your vaccine information, the university will categorize you as not vaccinated (and the expectations below will apply).
Moravian has been, and will continue to review recommendations from the PA Department of Health, the CDC, and the American College Health Association regarding COVID-19 protocols for colleges and universities as we return to campus for the spring 2021 semester. As such, we will expect:
- All residential, non-vaccinated students will need to upload a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of arrival on campus, to the Student Health Portal. Room keys will not be issued, and identification cards will be deactivated until this task is completed.
- All non-vaccinated students will be tested every week during the semester for COVID-19 by our Health Center. We expect testing to take place before morning classes begin each day. Details regarding the date and time will be sent to students later in August.
- Residents needing to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 will be expected to do so off-campus during the semester. Residents who may be unable, based on the distance to their permanent address, may be able to relocate to an on-campus isolation house. Dining options for residents in isolation will be limited.
Moravian University is accepting visitors for tours and interviews. Contact admission@moravian.edu or 610-861-1320 to make plans for your campus visit. Virtual tours are also available.
The purpose of this page is to keep the Moravian community informed about the public health situation relating to the COVID-19 ("Coronavirus"). Check this page for ongoing updates and answers to frequently asked questions.
*Note: As a reminder, The World Health Organization changed the name of the virus to COVID-19 on Feb. 11, 2020.
Helping Hounds Fund & Seeds of Hope Fund
Many alumni, parents, and community members have asked how they can help Moravian students that may be impacted now, and in the future, by the current COVID-19 crisis. Please see links to the Moravian University Helping Hounds Fund and the Moravian Seminary's Seeds of Hope Fund if you'd like to make a gift. Thank you. #MoCoTimeOfCaring
Messages to Campus
Below are messages sent by the University on COVID-19:
- February 18, 2022: Update
- January 7, 2022: Update
- December 20, 2021: Update
- August 27, 2021: Update
- July 30, 2021: Update
- July 28, 2021: Update
- July 6, 2021: Update
- June 29, 2021: Update
- May 28, 2021: Update
- April 30, 2021: Update
- April 9, 2021: Update
- March 17, 2021: Update
- March 12, 2021: Update
- March 5, 2021: Update
- March 2, 2021: Update
- February 26, 2021: Update
- February 19, 2021: Update
- February 5, 2021: Update
- January 28, 2021: Update
- January 20, 2021: Update
- December 18, 2020: Update
- December 4, 2020: Update
- November 13, 2020: Update
- November 10, 2020: Update
- October 29, 2020: Update
- October 16, 2020: Update
- October 5, 2020: Update
- September 23, 2020: Update
- September 22, 2020: Update
- September 18, 2020: Update
- September 16, 2020: Update
- September 9, 2020: Update
- September 2, 2020: Update
- August 28, 2020: Update
- August 24, 2020: Return to Campus Update-August 24
- August 20, 2020: Return to Campus Update-August 20
- August 18, 2020: Return to Campus Update-August 18
- August 7, 2020: Coronavirus Update-July 24
- July 31, 2020: Coronavirus Update - July 31
- July 24, 2020: Coronavirus Update-July 24
- June 25, 2020: Coronavirus Update-June 25
- June 18, 2020: Coronavirus Update-June 18
- June 12, 2020: Coronavirus Update-June 12
- June 5, 2020: Coronavirus Update-June 5
- June 1, 2020: Death of George Floyd
- May 28, 2020: Coronavirus Update-May 28
- May 20, 2020: Coronavirus Update-May 20
- May 13, 2020: Coronavirus Update-May 13
- May 4, 2020: Coronavirus Update-May 4
- April 29, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 29
- April 23, 2020: A Message from the CFO about Student Board Plan Refunds
- April 22, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 22
- April 20, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 20
- April 17, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 17
- April 15, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 15
- April 13, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 13
- April 8, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 8
- April 6, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 6
- April 3, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 3
- April 1, 2020: Coronavirus Update-April 1
- April 1, 2020: Commencement 2020 Plans
- March 30, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 30
- March 27, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 27
- March 26, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 26
- March 25, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 25
- March 25, 2020: Positive COVID-19 Case-March 25
- March 24, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 24
- March 23, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 23
- March 22, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 22
- March 21, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 21
- March 20, 2020: Coronavirus Update - March 20 Evening
- March 20, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 20
- March 19, 2020: IMPORTANT UPDATE for STUDENTS and FACULTY
- March 19, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 19
- March 18, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 18
- March 17, 2020: Coronavirus Update - March 17
- March 16, 2020: URGENT Coronavirus Update - March 16
- March 16, 2020: Coronavirus Update-March 16
- March 15, 2020: Coronavirus Update - March 15
- March 14, 2020: Coronavirus Update - March 14
- March 14, 2020: Update from Seminary Dean's Office
- March 12, 2020: Nursing Students and Clinicals-March 13
- March 13, 2020: Student Weekend Expectations - COVID-19
- March 13, 2020: Coronavirus Update - March 13
- March 12, 2020: Classes Moving To Remote Instruction For Two Weeks
- March 11, 2020: Change to Residential Visitation Policy
- March 11, 2020: Coronavirus Update from President Grigsby
- March 6, 2020: Novel Coronavirus Update-Returning to Campus
- March 4, 2020: COVID-19 Follow-up Message on travel
- March 3, 2020: Novel Coronavirus Update (SPRING BREAK NOTICE)
- February 25, 2020: Novel Coronavirus Update (SPRING BREAK NOTICE)
- February 5, 2020: Community Health Information: Coronavirus
Symptoms, Precautions & Resources
Symptoms
Per the CDC: Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.*
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 or who thinks they have been exposed to the virus via travel or contact with others should call and talk with a medical professional as soon as possible. Call the Health Center at (610) 861-1567.
*This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.
Other common respiratory infections
- Information from the Centers for Disease Control on the flu
- Information from the Centers for Disease Control on the common cold
- Information from the American Thoracic Society on adenovirus
Moravian Resources
Health Center
- (610) 861-1567
- Hours:
- Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon visits by appointment from 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Emergency and after-hours information: moravian.edu/healthcenter/emergency
- Health Center staff can assess your particular history and symptoms and make recommendations.
- The Health Center has free flu shots available for students. Call or visit the website to schedule an appointment.
Counseling Center
- (610) 861-1510
- Staff in the Counseling Center are aware that for some students, fear and anxiety about becoming sick can disrupt sleep, studying, and finding pleasure in being with friends. They also know that sharing the thoughts and feelings associated with those concerns, with a person willing to listen, can often be quite helpful in getting back to normal routines. Counselors are available and welcome and invite students to call the center to schedule an appointment to help address their concerns, anxiety and coping.
- Below are some tips to help you put information and concerns in perspective, manage anxiety, and maintain the commitment to Moravian values of equity and respect.
- Limit worry and distress by reducing the amount of time you spend on social media or news sites that are upsetting. Although you'll want to stay informed—especially if you have loved ones in affected areas—remember to take a break from absorbing the news.
- Keep connected and keep your daily routine. Being among friends or family can help maintain a sense of normalcy and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress.
- Self-awareness and situational awareness are important to not stigmatize others in our community. Please avoid making assumptions about students, faculty and staff from affected areas. Reach out to friends and colleagues who may be worried about family and friends at home while also dealing with normal stressors.
Prevention Strategies
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Viruses that cause respiratory infections can live on your hands, and regular hand washing can help protect you from getting sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Viruses that cause respiratory infections can enter your body this way and make you sick.
- Stay away from people who are sick. Sick people can spread viruses that cause these infections through close contact with others.
- Avoid close contact with others, such as hugging, kissing, or shaking hands.
- Move away from people before coughing or sneezing.
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue then throw it away, or cough and sneeze into your upper shirt sleeve, completely covering your mouth and nose.
- Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects such as keyboards and doorknobs.
Official COVID-19 Information Sources
- COVID-19 in the U.S.
- Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Health
- U.S. Department of Education
- Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
- PA Department of Health: PA COVID-19 Update
Travel Information
News Coverage
- 4.29.20: Moravian University professor, students make 3D face shields, stethoscopes for health care workers fighting coronavirus (Morning Call)
- 4.28.20: How do you teach theater online? Lehigh Valley colleges get creative with remote learning amid coronavirus, even in hands-on fields (Morning Call)
- 4.21.20: Convert Campus Spaces to Health-Care Facilities (The Chronicle of Higher Education)
- 4.15.20: Some College Students Returned Home, Some Couldn't: What It's Like On Campus (PBS39)
- 4.4.20: Lehigh Valley colleges opening dorms for doctors and nurses on front line of coronavirus fight (The Morning Call)
- 3.11.20: Muhlenberg College ending in-person classes because of coronavirus; most students must leave on-campus housing by Saturday afternoon (The Morning Call)
- 3.6.20: Coronavirus is here: What to do if you have symptoms, how to get tested and more of your questions answered (The Morning Call)
- 3.5.20: Enrollment Headaches From Coronavirus Are Many. They Won’t Be Relieved Soon. (The Chronicle)
- 3.3.20: The Coronavirus Threatens to Upend Higher Ed. Here Are the Latest Developments. (The Chronicle)
- 2.26.20: Lehigh Valley colleges monitoring coronavirus ahead of spring break travel (Lehigh Valley Live)
- 2.25.20: As the coronavirus spreads to Europe, so does concern on local college campuses (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- 2.13.20: Will Coronavirus Crisis Trigger an Enrollment Crisis? (Inside Higher Ed)
- 2.7.20: Is the new coronavirus breeding undue fear and stigma? (The Morning Call)