This periodic update is intended to keep you informed of the latest developments from our Protect the Nest Team. Please visit www.otterbein.edu/covid19/ for additional general and student-related information. If you have questions or concerns, contact the COVID Hotline at covid@otterbein.edu.

Need to Know:

• You MUST make an appointment to utilize Otterbein’s free COVID-19 testing by emailing covid@otterbein.edu. The testing center does not offer walk-in appointments.
• Otterbein will offer flu vaccines on campus this fall through OhioHealth. More details will be available soon.

COVID-19 Vaccine Locations

COVID-19 vaccines are free and available in many locations near campus and around central Ohio. Here are some places you can get a vaccine:

• Columbus Public Health, various locations. To pre-register, visit columbus.gov/c19vax or call 614-645-1519.
• Franklin County Public Health, various locations. Learn more or schedule an appointment.
• Mount Carmel East, 6001 E. Broad Street, Columbus. Schedule your vaccine appointment.
• Near Campus: 
  • Central Ohio Primary Care, 955 County Line Rd. W (2.0 miles) 
  • CVS Pharmacy, 145 S State St. (0.4 mile) 
  • CVS Pharmacy, 620 S Cleveland Ave. (1.6 miles) 
  • Giant Eagle, 650 N State St. (1.4 miles) 
  • Kroger, Maxtown Clinic, 7345 State Route 3 (1.7 miles)
  • Kroger, 55 W Shrock Rd. (1.5 Miles)
  • OhioHealth Westerville Medical Campus, 300 Polaris Pkwy (1.7 mile)
  • Uptown Pharmacy, 23 N State St. (0.2 mile)

Additional locations can be found at vaccinateoh.org or gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Using a Fake Vaccine Card is a Federal Crime

The FBI is warning that anyone caught selling or possessing counterfeit vaccine cards could be arrested, face heavy fines and even jail time. Those people can be charged with the federal crime of misuse of a government seal, punishable by up to a $5,000 fine or five years in federal prison.

Social Distancing is Still Effective

Recently, there has been a heavy emphasis on getting vaccinated and masking up — the two most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, if you are able to social distance, that is an added layer of protection. While not required for vaccinated, masked individuals, social distancing is still recommended whenever possible.

Contact Tracing

With students, faculty, and staff back on campus, the Contact Tracing Team has been busy doing its important work in preventing the spread of COVID-19 on campus. The members of this team have been specially trained to trace exposures and inform individuals who have been exposed based on how physically close and how long a contact was, the vaccination status of each individual, and many other factors based on CDC guidelines. Please know that if you have been exposed, a member of this team will contact you. If you don’t hear from the Contact Tracing Team, you have not been exposed.

Virtual Town Hall – TIME CHANGED!

The Protect the Nest Team will host a virtual mini-town hall at 4 p.m. on Sept. 9. We’ll talk about our fall semester protocols, share our latest campus statistics, and answer questions you might have.

Otterbein’s COVID-19 protocols are developed in consultation with Franklin County Public Health and OhioHealth (Otterbein’s campus healthcare provider) and adhere to the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Ohio Department of Health. Otterbein’s protocols are subject to change based on new guidance issued by these agencies.