October 5, 2020
Public health officials are detecting increases of COVID‑19 cases
among adults in Whitman, Latah and Nez Perce Counties. Many of these
cases are being traced back to non‑work socializing and family
gatherings. Officials are particularly concerned that cases may
spike as cooler weather drives people indoors.
Testing and contact tracing are critical in the battle to stop the
spread of COVID‑19. Free testing is now available to WSU Pullman
faculty and staff who are not experiencing COVID‑19 symptoms and have
not been identified as a close contact. Employees who are feeling ill
should contact their healthcare provider. Additional employee testing
information, including times and locations, can be found below.
Some COVID‑19 cases have also been attributed to carpooling and
similar ride sharing situations. If you carpool or take shared rides,
van pools, or buses:
- consider temporarily ceasing or cutting back on shared rides, if possible,
- wear a face covering throughout the ride,
- avoid touching surfaces with your hands,
- increase distance between passengers, when possible,
- when you leave the vehicle, wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers as soon as possible and before removing your face covering.
Also, in order to avoid community spread of the illness, it is crucial
COVID‑19 health and safety guidelines continue to be practiced diligently:
- avoid gathering in groups,
- maintain six feet of physical distance between yourself and others,
- wash your hands frequently, and
- always wear your face covering whenever in public or when interacting with others outside your living group.
Testing and contact tracing for employees
Voluntary asymptomatic testing of WSU employees is being conducted
in partnership with the Army National Guard and all employees who work
in Whitman County are encouraged to take advantage of this free service.
The Army National Guard is setting up its testing station at various
sites throughout the Pullman community. Employee testing will continue
through Nov. 20.
Any WSU employee who works in Whitman County but lives outside of
Whitman County and tests positive or has been in close contact with a
positive case should immediately notify Environmental Health and Safety
at 509‑335‑3041 or ehsweb@wsu.edu so that WSU contact tracers can begin
their work.
WSU employee testing locations and times
(Oct. 6 through Oct. 17)
