WashU’s COVID guidelines remain unchanged from the fall semester despite an increase in COVID cases. Students have voiced a need for more guidance regarding COVID protocols and quarantining processes.

The current protocol includes a vaccine mandate for all students, faculty, and staff, strong encouragement of boosters, the recommendation of masks for indoor activities, and recommended isolation in their own room for those who have been exposed to the virus.

In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case, the University’s guidelines state that those individuals should quarantine in their rooms. Habif Health and Wellness Center offers testing for COVID-19 and flu with on-site PCR tests and free antigen tests available on campus.

The University is also closely monitoring new COVID-19 variants. Currently, the XBB.1.5 variant is the most common and makes up 60-73% of COVID cases in the U.S, according to Executive Director of the Habif Health & Wellness Center, Cheri Leblanc.

In a comment to Student Life, LeBlanc wrote that “fortunately, while this variant is highly transmissible, it is not causing more severe symptoms or illness than other variants, and the latest bivalent booster reduces the chances of significant disease if someone is infected.”

LeBlanc encourages students who have not received a booster shot with the bivalent vaccine to book an appointment through the student portal on the University’s website. Habif Health and Wellness Center offers the vaccine on Fridays. 

Many people, such as freshman Kate Smith, had several of their friends contract the virus before winter break last semester. 

“I’m double vaccinated, so I wasn’t worried about getting [the virus],” Smith said.

Senior Kenneth Lee said that while he wore masks earlier in the year, he no longer feels the need to.

“I’d say during busier times like earlier in the year, I would wear a mask just because I know people were getting sick, but when I’m healthy, I don’t feel a need to,” Lee said. “When I’m sick I’m definitely wearing a mask to protect myself from others.”

Sophomore Tarek Elbialy believed that administration could do more to notify the student body when spikes occur. 

“I feel the lack of awareness about when spikes happen makes them more dangerous, especially because people are still throwing parties, and it’s a chain reaction,” Elbialy said. “With a lack of awareness, spikes keep on happening more often.” 

Kirk Dougher, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Support and Well-Being, believes it is necessary to continue to be aware of this virus and other biological diseases in general. 

In a comment to Student Life, Dougher wrote that it is important “to continue to adapt to the pandemic circumstances we face and to continually be mindful about the threats from old nemeses (measles among them), current variants, and attending to keeping our practices prepared for future concerns.” 

Dougher expressed his praise for the University’s student population’s ability to contain the spread and be mindful. 

“Our students have, in general, been fairly thoughtful and proactive in the steps they have taken to mitigate the spread,” Dougher said. “As a whole, our students do care about those around them, saw the wisdom in protecting the campus community (that included students, staff, faculty, contractors, and other campus partners) through vaccination, were amenable to that requirement, and have been thoughtful about when they go to classes and events.”

Lee mentioned how far COVID protocol has progressed since the virus first broke.

“I’m pretty happy about where we’re at now. I feel like life is pretty normal, and we’re all able to just enjoy our lives,” Lee said.