COVID-19

Lion Shrine Close-up

Penn State provides update on teaching modes for summer and fall 2021

Penn State is planning a phased return over the summer semester to a full on-campus learning environment for fall 2021. The University’s priorities continue to be the health and well-being of its students, faculty, staff and local communities, and the plans for expanded in-person classes have the flexibility built in to quickly respond to changing pandemic conditions, if necessary.

Testing requirements for students who must return to campus communities

As part of plans announced to begin the spring 2021 semester remotely, the University is urging students who live off campus to postpone their return to their campus community unless it is necessary for work, academic-program-specific reasons or other important circumstances. Students who must return to their campus community before Feb. 15 or who have remained in their campus community over winter break will be required to order and complete a free COVID-19 test before their arrival.
Snow falls on Old Main bell

Penn State to begin spring semester remotely, delay in-person classes

Penn State has decided to delay the start of in-person classes and transition to a fully remote learning environment for the beginning of the spring 2021 semester at all campus locations. This decision was made following extensive analysis and scenario planning given worsening virus conditions nationally and across the state indicating predictions of rising hospitalization rates in the coming weeks.
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Impacts of the pandemic on anticipatory grief

Receiving a diagnosis from a doctor that explains your previously unexplainable symptoms can often bring about feelings of relief. But this year, the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, and its diagnosis has offered its targets no such comfort. In this post, Penn State Abington’s Abigail Akande discusses experiences with anticipatory grief, and explains how they can vary just as widely as the experiences with typical grief.
Old Main Bell Tower against Blue and White Sky

11/24: COVID-19 dashboard updated with results from departure, weekend testing

Penn State has updated its public COVID-19 dashboard with the University's on-demand testing and random testing results from tests administered during the period of Nov. 20 to 22, as well as new University testing results from the prior week. As of Nov. 23 at University Park, there are 348 active student cases, up from 318 at the last update on Nov. 20, and 4,462 students have completed their isolation period and are no longer active cases.
Insights from Experts COVID-19 image

COVID-19 and the potential costs of social isolation

The COVID-19 pandemic continues across the globe and in the United States. Currently, science and medicine offer clear methods on how to reduce the risk of transmission — including social distancing. Yet this behavior comes with a potential cost of reduced social connections and research has shown that losing social connections can be dangerous to both physical and psychological well-being, said Michael Bernstein, professor of psychology at Penn State Abington.
The Nittany Lion using a laptop while wearing a mask.

University urges COVID-19 testing for students prior to returning home

In preparation for the departure from campuses after in-person instruction ends on Nov. 20, Penn State has announced an aggressive fall departure plan offering all students COVID-19 testing, at no cost to students. Penn State is partnering with Vault Health for departure testing, which will be conducted either in person at predetermined testing sites on certain campuses or via self-administered test kits. Students can now book their appointment to receive an administered test or to pick up a self-test by using the Return Home Event on the Penn State Go App or by visiting virusinfo.psu.edu/departure-testing.