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WIU COVID-19 Updates (March 30, 2021) 

March 30, 2021

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – While Illinois is close to meeting the vaccination metrics required to enter the new Bridge Phase of the state's Restore Illinois plan, there remain requirements that must be met before fully moving forward to the next phase. Please read below for testing and other COVID-19-related updates.

The metrics to move into the bridge phase include the following:

• 70% of residents 65 years and older must have received a first dose.
• Hospitals must maintain 20% or greater ICU bed availability.
• Hospitalizations for COVID-19, admissions for COVID-like illness, and deaths must hold steady or decline over a 28-day monitoring period.

Despite the state being close to meeting the first threshold {69% ages 65 and older have been vaccinated}, hospitalization metrics continue to trend upward. Throughout both the state of Illinois, positive cases are rising/re-emerging. State health officials report the largest age group of cases increasing is among young adults.

"As we work toward completing the remaining five-weeks of the semester, and with plans set for an in-person Commencement Weekend May 14-16, we cannot stress enough the importance of abiding by the University COVID-19 protocols, including wearing your face covering both indoors and out, making sure you are socially distancing properly, and washing hands and disinfecting regularly," said Joe Roselieb, executive director of risk management and auxiliary resources. "If we continue to make progress in terms of declining cases and hospitalizations, we can move forward with the end-of-semester plans; however, if we have an increase in positive cases, this will affect our year-end activities."

At this time, the University will continue to operate with the current campus restrictions in place. If the state successfully moves into the Bridge Phase, additional information regarding campus protocols will be released.

COVID-19 SHIELD Illinois Testing

Western Illinois University is continuing its on-campus testing program to quickly identify symptomatic and close contact cases.

The appointment portal for SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 test is open for WIU-Macomb faculty, staff and students. SHIELD Illinois is a fast-turnaround saliva-based COVID-19 test created by the University of Illinois. Follow instructions below to set up an account to schedule an appointment. Testing will continue to be provided from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday in the University Union Sandburg Lounge (lower northeast entrance).

The SHIELD test requires individuals to deposit a small amount of saliva in a vial, which usually takes less than five minutes. The test will provide results within 24 hours of samples reaching a SHIELD Illinois Lab. Participants will receive an email with their negative test results and a phone call with positive results.

The CRL saliva test kits will continue to be used on the WIU-QC campus. These can be picked up and returned in Riverfront Hall.
Creating a MySHIELD Account

To obtain the SHIELD COVID-19 test, WIU-Macomb students, faculty and staff must create an account on the MySHIELD portal.

How to create an account:
1. Go to shieldilportal.pointnclick.com (Save this link)
2. Click "Sign up for an account"
3. Use Agency Code: r267pz44
4. Use your WIU email address. Employees should use their home address, Students should use their Macomb address.
5. Once finished, hit submit.
6. Schedule COVID-19 TESTING

How to schedule a COVID-19 test:
1. Login to shieldilportal.pointnclick.com
2. Select "Schedule, View, Or Cancel an Appointment"
3. Select "Schedule an Appointment"
4. Complete all fields.
5. Select "Continue"
6. Select test date.
7. Set test location (University Union)
8. Select "Search for Appointment"
9. Select the date and time and select "Continue"
10.Select "Confirm"
11.After confirmation, a QR code is provided. Please bring the QR code to the testing location. A copy will also be sent to via email.

A negative test result will be sent via email in 24-48 hours. Individuals who receive a positive result will receive a phone call.

Test Instructions
A photo ID and the QR code provided are required when arriving at the scheduled appointment time in the University Union Sandburg Lounge. Individuals should not eat, drink (including water), chew gum, smoke or use tobacco products within 60 minutes of providing a sample. If instructions are not followed, an inconclusive result could be produced and require a re-test.

WIU-Macomb Vaccination Clinic

The McDonough County Health Department, in cooperation with Western Illinois University, will host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for WIU faculty, staff and NOW ALL students from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 1 on the WIU-Macomb campus. Please note that retirees, dependents, spouses and alumni are not eligible to participate.

The Moderna vaccine will be available, with the second dose clinic set at WIU for 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, April 29. Individuals participating in the April 1 clinic must be available to receive their second dose in McDonough County April 29.

WIU encourages members of the University community to take advantage of the free vaccination clinic. Supervisors are authorized to approve up to 60 minutes of release time from work for an employee to receive the vaccine. Proof of vaccination/appointment, presented to the supervisor, will be required to utilize the release time. Time off needed beyond 60 minutes should be reported as sick or vacation leave.

To register, visit https://events.juvare.com/IL-IDPH/9nhnh/. All participants must complete and bring with them the consent form at wiu.edu/coronavirus/immunizationconsent/. While an insurance card is not needed to participate in the vaccination clinic, students, faculty and staff must show their WIU ID.

The clinic will be held at the WIU Campus Recreation Center (enter through the MAC Gym, south entrance).

For members of the WIU-Quad Cities community, the Rock Island County Health Department continues to operate the vaccine clinic at the Camden Center in Milan, Illinois. Individuals interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, can visit https://richd.org/ for more information regarding the registration process for this clinic.

Updates/Information

Visit wiu.edu/coronavirus.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing