COVID-19 Information
Based on recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Multnomah County Health Department, Lewis & Clark has simplified and updated many of its COVID-19 policies and requirements.
Vaccinations
As of June 1, 2023, Lewis & Clark no longer requires students or employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters to attend school or work.
Masking
Mask-wearing is optional on the Lewis & Clark campus. High-quality masks for community members are available for free in the following locations:
- Health Promotion and Wellness office (Fowler Center 110)
- Student Health Center (Fowler Center 160)
- Residence hall lobbies (Copeland main lobby, Platt main lobby, Holmes main lobby, Tamarack lobby, and Akin lobby)
If you are experiencing symptoms of an airborne illness (COVID-19, influenza, RSV, etc.) and are unable to stay home, we urge mask use to protect the community.
Testing
Tests are no longer available for free on campus following the expiration of the Public Health Emergency and associated federal funding.
On-Campus
- PCR testing and rapid antigen testing are offered at the Student Health Center clinic with an appointment. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 503-768-7165, stopping by the clinic, or logging into the secure Health Information Portal.
- Rapid antigen tests are sold at the Lewis & Clark Bookstore.
Off-Campus
- Rapid antigen tests are sold at most grocery stores and pharmacies. Medical clinics and emergency rooms offer PCR and antigen testing. For more information on local options, please refer to the Multnomah County COVID-19 Testing webpage.
Reporting
Lewis & Clark no longer requires community members to report positive COVID-19 tests. If your respiratory or other acute symptoms persist and you desire medical evaluation, please contact the Health Center or your primary care provider for guidance. If you are experiencing severe symptoms on-campus, call Campus Safety (503-768-7777) and 911.
Students and Employees Who Test Positive
The following guidance is based on local county recommendations.
If you test positive for COVID and have symptoms or feel sick:
- Stay home until your symptoms are improving and you have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
- You do not need to get a negative COVID test in order to return to your usual activities in the community.
- To help avoid the spread of illness, please only leave your home for essential purposes, defined as accessing needed health care, picking up meals, using a restroom, taking out your trash, and responding to emergency alarms.
- Wear a high-quality mask for 10 days after symptom onset.
- Avoid contact with those at increased risk for severe disease.
If you test positive for COVID and don’t have symptoms:
- You are not required to stay home.
- It is recommended that you wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Avoid contact with those at increased risk for severe disease.
Students who test positive and live on campus should consider the following:
For an on-campus medical emergency, contact Campus Safety 24/7 at 503-768-7777. They will call 911 and guide first responders to your location. If you live off-campus, dial 911.
For non-emergent health concerns related to COVID-19, the Health Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All visits are by appointment. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 503-768-7165, stopping by the clinic, or logging into the secure Health Information Portal. When the Health Center is closed, you can refer to this list for off campus medical care options, or call the Nurse Consultation Line for basic medical advice at 1-877-617-9531.
Students who have been fever-free for at least 24 hours and whose symptoms are improving may enter dining facilities to get food. Alternatively, students who have not met these criteria can have a friend/roommate bring them food to go. In Fields Dining Hall, the proxy student will have to show the student’s ID card (either physical or photo) to pick up to-go food. At the Trail Room, all food can be ordered to go.
Students who are too sick to pick up a meal, and who are not able to make other arrangements for delivery of food, can contact Campus Safety dispatch, who will work to find a solution.
Students and Employees Who Are Exposed to COVID
If you have been exposed to someone with COVID, it is recommended that you:
- Wear a mask for 10 days.
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Take a COVID test 5 days after exposure.
- Test sooner if you develop symptoms.
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If your roommate tests positive for COVID-19, you may go about your regular routines with some modifications. Monitor yourself for symptoms, wear a mask for 10 days after your initial exposure, and test in five days or if you become symptomatic. Additional housing options may be available while your roommate isolates. Please consider the following:
- If you have off-campus friends or family nearby, you might consider staying with them.
- If you have friends on-campus who are willing for you to temporarily move in with them, you could move to their room. If you decide to utilize this option, cots are available. To reserve a cot, contact living@lclark.edu.
- If you prefer to obtain a hotel off-campus, you may do that. All costs associated with this choice are your responsibility.
Temporary safe rooms are available on a limited basis for students with certain high-risk medical conditions. If you have one of the following conditions, please contact Campus Living to review your situation and determine potential relocation. High-risk medical conditions include: chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, severe asthma, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, diabetes, pregnancy, cancer, a previous organ transplant, active use of immunosuppressive medications, HIV, and primary immunodeficiency disease.